19 Feb 2012

SPCA enlists animal welfare lawyer

7:25 pm on 19 February 2012

The SPCA has enlisted the help of a top animal welfare lawyer to improve its prosecution services.

Crown Solicitor Ben Vanderkolk will provide legal support - a move which the SPCA says will save it time and money.

Mr Vanderkolk recently prosecuted Grant Teahan, who was convicted on two charges of ill-treating native hawks.

He also brought to justice David and Daryl Balfour, the couple found by SPCA inspectors to have kept 161 cats and 87 dogs in poor conditions.

The SPCA says the new relationship with Mr Vanderkolk will bring credibility and consistency in animal welfare cases taken to court.

The SPCA's chief executive Robyn Kippenberger says the service will ensure its inspectors have access to consistent and expert advice in all phases of their investigation.