Threats to RSPCA man
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An RSPCA inspector is being rehoused as "a matter of urgency" after his anti-animal cruelty work led to threats of violence.
The inspector, who has already taken 40 cruelty cases to courts in north- east England this year, is determined to continue but is worried about dangers to his family.
He has been attacked before but the final straw came when hooded thugs swooped on his home, smashed up his RSPCA van and held a knife to his throat on his doorstep.
The inspector, whose identity is not being released, said: "I am worried about my wife and children. I don't want them to have to live in fear of it happening again. Whoever is doing it obviously wants to warn me off and stop the work I'm doing."
The family would be rehoused "as a matter of urgency", said regional RSPCA superintendent David Millard. "This sort of incident is not common but it is happening more and more. If these attacks increase it may be necessary to look at ways of improving inspectors' security in the near future."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments