An RSPCA boss has been caught in a war of words after saying shooting seals is "humane pest control."
The "disturbing" comments made publicly on Twitter by David Bowles, who heads up the charity’s campaigns and public affairs work, have been lambasted by animal-lovers.
Some have even vowed to cancel their memberships after Mr Bowles continued to defend his comments.
The remarks were sparked by an article from the brand Lush in which writer Dominic Dyer called for a total ban on the shooting of seals off the coast of Scotland.
He described how the killing of the animals was introduced more than 40 years ago to protect the farmed fishing industry, but is no longer necessary.
Currently, fish farms are licensed to kill seals to prevent them from attacking and eating salmon in the farm cages. Government figures show more than 800 seals have been shot since 2011.
However, Mr Bowles slated the "simplistic argument" sparking a heated row between him and other Twitter users who questioned how he could condone seals being shot, washing up dead on beaches and pups being oprhaned.
But he urged: "We need a sensible debate not a slanging match" and said it was not an easy problem to solve.
And he then snapped back: "Seal shooting is not culling it’s about humane pest control."
It was met with a flurry of blacklash.
Blue Planet Society responded: "’Pest control’ really?? – this is the language of the gamekeeper, not an animal welfare charity."
Eugene Day said: "David. You and the RSPCA have this so so wrong. I’ve been a member for 20+ years because I love and work to protect wild animal. I can’t underestimate my disappointment. This is not why people support the RSPCA."
Alick Simmons added: "I thought the RSPCA was better than this. Stopping arbitrarily labelling some species as ‘pests’ would be a start."
While George Monbiot said it was "profoundly disturbing" to see Mr Bowles "defend the slaughter of wild mammals on behalf of one of the cruelest industries in the UK."
But Mr Bowles continued: "Seals cause huge welfare problems to salmon when they get into farms outside of the commercial issues – are these welfare issues not our concern?"
However Lizzie Daly said: "Hi David. I’m not sure your argument of putting the welfare of the salmon first is one that many can sympathise with. Why should salmon welfare be any different to seal welfare? Why can’t we consider the welfare of other ecologically important species too?"
And Georgia London fumed: "Seals are NOT PESTS! It’s humans that are the PESTS, constantly interfering, manipulating and killing animals. Whether for food or sport. It’s a choice NOT a necessity. And a very poor, cruel choice at that."
Others even confirmed they would be cancelling their RSPCA subscriptions over Mr Bowles’ comments.
Read More
Top Stories from Mirror Online
-
Norovirus outbreak at Exeter schools
-
Mum can’t go to kids’ funerals
-
Mum left nearly bald after club attack -
Pussy Riot activist poisoned
One said: "Congratulations, David. You’ve finally persuaded me to cancel the RSPCA subscription I’ve paid in for decades. Blatant corporate thinking over animal welfare = NOPE."
The comments by Mr Bowles come weeks after RSPCA Chief Executive Chris Sherwood shared a photo about rescuing a seal which has become ensnared in a net.
He said: "It was great to meet a grey seal who is close to being released back into the wild following rehab work with us. He was admitted ensnared in this net."
Meanwhile, a spokeswoman from the charity said: “The RSPCA rescues and releases hundreds of seals every year and categorically does not regard them as pests. In fact, the RSPCA is the biggest rehabilitator of seals in England and Wales.
"No one wants seals to be shot, least of all the RSPCA. We are working constantly to ensure salmon, which can feel pain, are protected from seals using non lethal methods.
"We urgently want to see the number of seals being shot by farmers reduced to zero.”
Source: Read Full Article