RSPCA 200th birthday inspector remembers pet lion

Starting in the 1960s, Chris - now settled in Cambridgeshire - worked for the charity across four decades in numerous counties, doing his best to improve the lives of Britain’s pets, wildlife and farm animals.

Now, as he helps celebrate the RSPCA’s 200th anniversary, Chris has shared some of his more unusual experiences from working on the frontline of the UK’s biggest animal welfare charity.

The 79 year-old, who is based in March, said: “Coming face to face with an axe-wielding baboon is one of those moments you can’t make up and to be honest, not something I’d trained for. 

“During my posting in York in the 1970s, I was called out to check on the welfare of an animal in a local circus.

“I found a huge Gelada baboon being kept in a tea chest with just some chicken wire tacked onto the front.

“While I was there, he somehow managed to push his hand out of the make-shift cage and grabbed a pick axe.

“Luckily, his keeper managed to disarm him so no harm was done. 

“While the circus hadn’t broken any specific laws then, we did give the keeper advice on improving the baboon’s welfare.

“Obviously things have moved on since then and animal circuses are now banned which is partly down to the RSPCA campaigning.”

Chris began his career with the RSPCA in 1966 at a starting salary of 12 shillings and ten old pence per week.

As with all inspectors back then, he lived in tied RSPCA accommodation during his postings.

As well as a spell in rural Dolgellau in Wales, Chris was stationed at multiple areas in England including Slough, Upminster, Dartford, Redhill, North Yorkshire and East Anglia.

Communications were pretty basic to start with. In the 1960s, if the public wanted to report concerns about an animal to the RSPCA, they would phone the local inspector’s private phone number and their wife would take the call.

Chris reports that it wasn’t unusual for his wife to take 150 calls from the public over a weekend.

But in the early 70s, changes started happening and Chris and his inspector colleagues got radios in their vans and their own individual call signs.

The system worked through Securicor’s radio system and messages were passed to each inspector.

It wasn’t until 2003  that the RSPCA’s national control centre (NCC) started operating and animal lovers were able to contact a central helpline number to report concerns. 

Chris has always had an interest in animals and loves rural life. He was a pupil at a small farm school and started working on a dairy farm before training to become an RSPCA inspector. 

Sometimes the rural life could be quite challenging. A call from a Corris farmer about his lost sheepdog turned into a wet but satisfying rescue when Chris was stationed in Dolgellau in North West Wales.

Missing on the hills for a few days, the dog was finally found behind a waterfall though getting him out was another story.  Luckily, Chris enjoys challenges.  

An RSPCA colleague had to swing Chris down from a rope so he could get to the terrified dog through the waterfall. 

He was then able to put the dog in a carrying bag. It was only after his colleague had hauled the dog up to safety and reunited with the relieved farmer that Chris himself was pulled back out of the waterfall and up to dry land again.

The life of an RSPCA inspector wasn’t all about lost dogs and cats. As a youngster, Chris had always liked the idea of working in a game park in Africa, but the political situation made that impossible.

But he got a small taste of Africa when called to a property on Epsom Downs when working in the Surrey region.

Chris recalls: “When I arrived at this large, posh property in the Home Counties I couldn’t believe my eyes. 

“A large lion was being kept in the back garden, tethered to a forty gallon oil drum.  While the poor animal superficially looked fit and healthy, this really wasn’t the right environment for him. 

“He was on a very short chain and I was very concerned for his welfare. So I contacted a zoo and managed to rehome the lion with them.”

So what was it that drew Chris to working at the RSPCA?  “I love meeting people, and you couldn’t do this job if you didn’t enjoy interacting with people from all walks of life.”

The welfare of livestock was very important to Chris and during his posting in North Yorkshire, he spent a lot of time at the local cattle market.

There was great rapport between farmers and the official agencies and welfare problems were few and far between.

The management there was very committed to animal welfare and together, they and Chris drew up a Code of Conduct for all the staff who worked in the market and for farmers to abide by when they brought their stock in.

He would also do checks on livestock vehicles coming to the market to ensure they were following transportation legislation. 

For example, it was forbidden for horned and unhorned cattle to be transported together.

When Chris arrived at his final posting in East Anglia, he became very involved in Cambridgeshire’s partnerships against wildlife and environmental crime.

Sadly, crimes such as hare coursing, badger baiting, the trapping of wild birds and the use of illegal gin traps were rife in this region - and continue to this day. There were also concerns over the destruction of river banks and the loss of habitat for animals like water voles. 

As a keen advocate of training, Chris provided student colleagues with training in the field and would also give the Cambridgeshire and Suffolk police training on animal welfare legislation. 

Chris added:  “From baboons and badgers to sheep and snakes, all animals should be treated with dignity and respect. 

“I am so proud to have been an RSPCA inspector, working on the frontline of animal protection and contributing to the charity making such a real difference to animal welfare throughout its first 200 years.”

Dermot Murphy, RSPCA inspectorate commissioner, said: “Chris’s experience shows the lengths our rescuers have always gone to save all animals and bring those responsible for cruelty to justice.

“For almost two centuries, the RSPCA has been changing minds, laws, industries and lives to create a better world for animals and people alike. But there is still so much more to do.

“Animals are facing bigger challenges than ever – through climate change, factory farming, war, and the cost-of-living crisis. As the world changes, we are determined to keep changing too.

“The 200th anniversary isn't just an opportunity for the RSPCA to celebrate its rich, unique history and heritage, but to look forward to what’s next, and what can be achieved together for animal welfare - it is a new chapter in the charity's history.”

(Image: RSPCA)

(Image: RSPCA)

(Image: RSPCA)

(Image: RSPCA)

(Image: RSPCA)