Special Investigations
Our Special Investigations Unit investigates and prosecutes serious animal welfare crimes.
Scotland’s only team dedicated to investigating and prosecuting serious animal welfare related crime
Our Special Investigations Unit (SIU) find innocent animals in horrendous places and situations – injured, abused and exploited in the name of greed.
Investigations
Working a case
From closing down a badger baiting ring to rescuing puppies from a profit-driven puppy farm, the SIU team’s work is challenging, disturbing and sadly, essential.
Every case begins with a lead that begins an often a treacherous journey to justice. It’s a long process that tests the limits of our team, requiring them to wade through often horrifying evidence to build a case, secure a warrant, and get a conviction. Unfortunately, the constant flow of cases and leads, means the Special Investigations team has never been needed more.
You can read about the type of cases we deal with in the case studies below.
The SIU team works relentlessly to rescue animals from the perpetrators of serious and organised animal-related crime.
The challenges to overcome
Alongside casework challenges, the SIU team faces the additional challenges of limited resources. As the only team in Scotland with the enforcement powers to tackle serious and organised animal welfare crimes in Scotland, each case is a huge undertaking. Cases range from a few months to several years of behind-the-scenes investigations, assessing evidence, and preparing legal documents and paperwork for the procurator fiscal.
Despite the limitations, their efforts to stop the exploitation of animals have forced many animal related crimes to be shut down, sparing the lives of innocent animals.
Do you have information that could help?
If you notice suspicious behaviour that could relate to serious, organised or protracted animal welfare crimes in your area, please report it to us. The information you provide could begin a new investigation or contribute to an existing one.
SIU cases range from a few months to several years.
We need you to help tackle animal-related crimes
The SIU’s work has saved countless animals from suffering, exploitation and death. This has only been possible due to the donations we receive which entirely fund their investigations.
By donating to the Scottish SPCA you’re not only supporting the rescued and abandoned animals in our care, you’re also contributing to the SIU’s pursuit and apprehension of animal criminals and the fight to end animal cruelty for good.
