The Scottish SPCA believes an under-fire Angus animal welfare organisation ”poses a risk to public safety.”
As controversy and questions surrounding the Easy Walkers organisation continued to intensify, Scotland’s leading animal charity said it has ”significant concerns” about the activities of the group and founder Daryl Beech.
Amongst the issues raised by Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn was an accusation that Mr Beech impersonated an inspector of the charity.
It has also emerged that Easy Walkers is under investigation by Tayside Police after allegations the SSPCA did not receive donations from a fundraising event.
Mr Flynn said, ”We have significant concerns regarding the activities of Easy Walkers and their organiser Daryl Beech.
”In 2009 we received a report from Tayside Police that Mr Beech had been impersonating a Scottish SPCA inspector at Forfar Loch.
”Our concerns extend to the black and white uniform Mr Beech continues to use, which is extremely similar to that worn by our inspectors.
”We must stress that Mr Beech and Easy Walkers have no involvement with the Scottish SPCA whatsoever.
”Anyone approached by Mr Beech in relation to animal welfare should ask for identification and contact the Scottish SPCA and the police immediately should they have any concerns.”
Mr Flynn added: ”With regard to the rehoming of animals, we have further concerns that a lack of assessment and support provided by Easy Walkers poses a risk to public safety and have expressed our views directly to Mr Beech and Angus Council.
”In one instance we had to take a dog into our care which was being aggressive to the young family of a fosterer used by Easy Walkers who told us they had been refused support.
”Sadly, this dog, which had clearly not been properly assessed, attacked a member of our staff and had to be put to sleep on veterinary advice as it could not be rehomed safely. The consequences could have been tragic had this dog remained with the foster carer or been rehomed.
”Our advice to anyone wishing to take on a rescue pet is to use a reputable charity or organisation.”
The comments come as Easy Walkers continues to battle allegations that it faked evidence of cheese laced with nails being discovered in Arbroath earlier this month.
In the immediate aftermath of the website report, Easy Walkers’ warning was described by police as ”scaremongering.”
In relation to the fundraising investigation, Mr Flynn added: ”It would be inappropriate to comment on donations we expected to receive following a fundraising event held by Easy Walkers earlier this year as this is now a police matter.
”We can say that we received a donation of a small quantity of food from Mr Beech in May this year. It was made clear to us by Mr Beech that this food had been collected from a local shop and did not relate to the fundraising event in question.”
On Monday, Angus Council confirmed that the SSPCA had lodged a letter with the authority in relation to a pending animal establishment application by the Easy Walkers founder.
A council spokesman said Mr Beech has submitted an application to the civic licensing department for a boarding establishment licence for an Angus address, to board one cat and two dogs. The application is due to be considered on November 15.
Despite repeated attempts by The Courier, Mr Beech could not be contacted by phone. An email sent to his Easy Walkers address said the user did not exist.