NSW rescue dogs shot dead over COVID-19 spread fears.

Sixteen impounded dogs (including one mother dog with her 10 puppies) waiting to be rescued in New South Wales were reportedly put down by the local council to enforce COVID-19 travel restrictions. According to NSW Health, there were no recent locally acquired COVID-19 cases in Cobar at the time of the incident.

Bourke Shire Council killed the dogs to prevent a shelter in Cobar from travelling (approximately 3 hours) to pick up the animals, according to the Office of Local Government (OLG). “OLG has been informed that the council decided to take this course of action to protect its employees and community, including vulnerable Aboriginal populations, from the risk of COVID-19 transmission,” a spokesperson said. The council cited full capacity of the pound’s holding pens, two dogs being aggressive, and the two-time unavailability of a regular rehomer as reasons for the decision being made. A statement by the Council further explained relevant staff had animal welfare certificates, and the dogs were in the pound past the time required under Companion Animal Act.

The Council claimed that the dogs were euthanized, though reports indicate that the dogs were shot. Both the RSPCA NSW and the OLG are investigating to see whether there has been a breach of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979. Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst stated “there is no health order that requires a council to kill the homeless or lost animals in their care.” Greens animal welfare spokeswoman Abigail Boyd also commented  “Council pounds are paid for by local communities, and shooting the dogs clearly falls far short of community expectations.”

Animals are innocent, the killing is clearly ruthless and cruel which should never happen again. Councils should explore ways to keep the services of re-homing animals running in spite of the outbreak of COVID-19, and to continue to work with re-homing organisations and volunteers to care for animals, where that can be undertaken consistent with NSW Health advice.

Courtesy of Kelly Ma