JUSTICE FOR FINLAY- POLICE UPDATE
Hi All
https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/justice-for-finlay-1/
WOW what a response we have had to the news that Finlay has been rehomed back in the Highlands. We have had literally thousands of facebook likes, emails, messages. The outpouring of love for Finlay has been incredible to see. We know that a lot of out you have shed tears and this time they are tears of joy, that now Finlay can finally enjoy the rest of his life in peace in the most wonderful place. He has utterly devoted people making sure he has whatever support he needs. We thought you would like to see this picture of him striding through the beautiful woodland on the way back to the barn he calls home. Look at the amazing condition he is in with his shoulder muscle definition and the purpose in this stride. He is just awesome and thriving.
What is clear from you all your communications is an overwhelming hunger for justice and to hold to account the police officers, Police and Crime Commissioner and all those involved in the unnecessary seizure and alleged abuse that Finlay endured for four and a half a months. Rest assured, we too share that hunger and will do everything we can to get Justice for Finlay. In doing so we also hope to prevent this ever happening to another innocent animal at the hands of North Wales Police.
As you know we have lodged a comprehensive complaint against a number of officers and the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales Police, Andy Dunbobbin. We are in regular dialogue with our legal team. We know that a detective in the Police Standards department for North Wales Police is currently going through evidence such as body cam footage, internal emails and is questioning the officers involved.
We have also had a response from the Police and Crime Panel for North Wales Police, which is the public body which is responsible for scrutinising the Police and Crime Commissioner. We complained that Andy Dunbobbin made a misleading statement about Finlay’s welfare.. As you will remember, the vet records our legal team obtained from the police show a 3 months gap in vet care, during which time Finlay became ill. Dunbobbin emailed many of you stating that, ‘"all standards of care were adhered to, with regular monitoring taking place throughout Finlay's stay at the facility". He also linked to a police statement claiming the same. Many of you expressed outrage at the response you received.
Well, the Police and Crime Panel’s response is astonishing. It contains the following statement :
‘The Police and Crime Panel Complaints Sub-Committee have spoken to the Police and Crime Commissioner's Monitoring Officer regarding this case. The Committee are satisfied with the explanation provided by the Police and Crime Commissioner about the welfare and care provided to Finlay during his time with the Police. The Committee understand that the records shared by the Police show a 3-month gap but the Committee received an assurance that there was not in fact a 3-month gap in the care and welfare provided. The PCP Complaints SubCommittee determined that the Commissioner did not make a misleading public statement when he said that all standards of care were adhered to and that regular monitoring took place’.
So basically, it looks like they have simply put our complaint to Andy Dunbobbin and have accepted his assurances that all standards of care were adhered to, despite the evidence we have raised to the contrary. They have provided not one single scrap of evidence to support this position; no supporting documents, no expert statements, nothing at all.
Where is the transparency, where is the accountability? It seems like Andy Dunbobbin thinks that Finlay’s treatment was acceptable. This is from the head of North Wales Police, so what message is that giving out to the rest of the force’s officers? This simply isn’t acceptable and our legal team have responded robustly. We consider that the decision made by the Police and Crime panel may be unlawful on the grounds that it does not provide sufficient reasons for dismissing the complaint and is therefore irrational. Our legal team have highlighted these concerns with the Police and Crime Panel and have requested that they urgently re-consider the complaint against the PCC and issue a fresh decision. This leaves open the option of a Judicial Review of the Panel’s decision if they refuse this request. This is a type of legal challenge that can be brought against decisions made by public bodies where they are unlawfully made. If we were forced to issue judicial review proceedings, this would ultimately lead to a hearing before a Judge at the Administrative Court. In the first instance, we would need to send the Police and Crime Panel a formal Letter Before Action, which would set out the proposed judicial review and requesting full disclosure.
As you know by now, we see things through until the end. Thinking back to the appalling condition Finlay was in; emaciated, shedding fur and so weak that he couldn’t even be wormed, spurs us on and keeps us motivated.
Your generosity has enabled us to employ the best legal resources available to us to get Finlay back and raise the police complaints. At least 3 solicitors and one barrister have been involved in this case and solicitors are working on this as we speak. If we are to continue with our mission to get Justice for Finlay then we will need the funds to continue to do this. We know you are all as committed as we are and so if you want to ensure those responsible for Finlay’s treatment are held fully to account then please support our crowdfunder. Your help is needed more than ever. Here is the link:
https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/justice-for-finlay-1/
Thanks as always
The Wildcat Haven Team and Finlay
PS the statements we release to you are also checked by our legal team to give the police no excuse for retaliation. Such is the world we live in.