Nambucca pound kills 100 dogs, rather than allow volunteers to photograph them

Glenn and his dogs Bundy & Rocco  (Image – The Daily Telegraph)

 

Glenn is an animal lover, who took in a friend’s two dogs temporarily. As sometimes happens, six months later they were still in his care.

One day, one of the dogs ‘Rusty’, slipped out a gate that had been left open, and she charged at a neighbour. No one was hurt but, understandably, the neighbour made a complaint.

A ranger from Nambucca Shire Council arrived to consult with the family. According to Glenn “… this was the first time in my 30 years of owning dogs that I have ever had to deal with animal control”. He was given the option of a fine and to have the two dogs microchipped and registered. Or he could surrender them and the ranger would find them a new home.

Glenn tearfully agreed to surrender the dogs. As he helped load the dogs into the ranger’s ute the ranger saw Glenn was upset, so told him he could keep the dog not involved in the attack. Glenn kept ‘Bundy’ and the ranger drove away with Rusty.

That night, Glenn and his five-year old daughter, realised they missed Rusty. They decided they had made a mistake, and would pay whatever they had to, to get her back. Glenn rang the ranger’s mobile number that night, and again the next day. On Monday morning he phoned the Council offices, only to be told Rusty had been killed within hours of being collected.

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Now, to be fair, the ranger had not done anything technically wrong – an owner-surrendered dog thought to have been an aggressor in an attack, is pretty much a’goner once it enters the pound. However how the council responded next was spectacular in its fails.

Firstly, Glenn contacted Council looking for answers. He maintained he was never told Rusty’s life was in danger and believes that it was indicated that she would be rehomed. He was told by Council management to just let it go, as it would be “your word against his”.

Infuriated by ‘the system’, Glenn started doing some investigating. And he found the pound was pretty much killing everything that walked in the door.

 

2011/12 DOGS 10 – returned to owner 4 – adopted 0 – rescue 104 – killed

 

Glenn asked council what they were doing to rehome pound dogs. The response was nothing at all. He offered to help, and started a Facebook page which quickly gained community support, with over 150 locals offering to take photos and network available dogs.

Numerous people have offered support in various ways including some professionals who have been involved in the running of animal shelters. From free media coverage, fostering, transporting, financial donations, food donations, veterinary advice, legal advice, free web hosting to people just offering their time to help in any manner they can, I was completely overwhelmed at the response & support. I can see this potentially taking on a life of its own with a push start and some help from council.

 

Glen received a response to his offer;

Glenn

I accordingly acknowledge your e-mail and will respond fully once I have reviewed my present workload

I think your proposal is a great idea but of course there are always statutory responsibilities and liabilities that have to be assessed, reported to and approved by council.

As I discussed with you the other day there is always a bit of a public stigma with pound dogs and the fees (approx $400) associated with release from the pound and the fact that some dogs are just not suitable for release however I believe we can organise some form of ‘Dog rescue’ with your assistance

regards

Paul Guy
Manager, Applications & Compliance Services Corporate and Community Services
Nambucca Shire Council
Nambucca Valley ~ Living at its best

 

One month later in December 2012, after not hearing anything more, Glenn tried again;

Hi Paul,

Just a follow up to my initial correspondence.

Is there a way I can get weekly access to the pound to take pictures of eligible dogs that maybe re-homed, or alternatively, be notified when suitable dogs are impounded?

Initially all I want to do is place the pics & info on a social media page that targets locals in the Nambucca Valley.

Is this possible or are the regulations that forbid this?

I want to do something positive about this but am struggling a month later with no reply on what I can & can’t do.

Regards,
Glenn

 

 

Paul Guy’s response;

Hi Glenn,

My apologies – have had some support for the idea but also some legislative impediments for which I am trying to find resolution and get some sort of process happening.

Have a merry xmas and further response new year

regards
Paul Guy 

 

Almost 4 months later Glenn sent a reminder;

Hi Paul,

Just a reminder that I am still waiting on a response on my proposal in regards to advertising suitable impounded companion dogs on a Nambucca Valley targeted social media page.

To make things simple, I would like to have myself or a volunteer to be able to photograph or have photos of impounded eligible companion dogs sent to me on a weekly/fortnightly basis along with some background info on them at a time that suits your operations. This would be carried out in a friendly, professional & unbiased manner at all times, totally devoid of personal emotions or criticism. I am wanting to know if this would be an option? I eagerly await your reply.

Regards,

Glenn

 

Council never responded to the last email. In his frustration at being ignored Glenn started to rehome needy dogs in the community himself. Glenn also criticised the lack of action by the council, now he found himself doing “their job”.

Not long after, he received a letter from Nambucca Shire Council threatening him with legal action (apparently, while Council’s workload precluded photographing their lost pets and putting them on the internet, there was time spare to trawl Glenn’s Facebook page for discussions about their operations). The threats to sue were never followed up.

In January this year – more than a year after Glenn’s original enquiry – Council contacted Glenn to let him know they “hoped” to advertise suitable impounded dogs by the end of February.

 

Source: Nambucca Shire Council Council Minutes February 2014

 

Says Glenn;

This is all I have asked for… that impounded dogs actually get a second chance to be rehomed.

 

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Nambucca Valley Dog Rescue placed more than 50 dogs over the year. They kept dozens more out of the pound. The were nominated for, and received an Australia Day community achievement award. And their supporters now number in the thousands.

In comparison, rather than embrace the community in wanting to save lives, Council has spent an entire year resisting their efforts and killing pets. Based on last year’s figures, around 100 dogs will have been killed, who didn’t need to be.

Council will blame an ‘irresponsible public’, even as the public beg to be allowed access to save pets. Council will blame the approach of animal advocates, saying they’re ‘hostile’ – even as council take the most hostile action imaginable – killing pets whom people want to save.

Looking at the 2012-2017 budgets for animal management at Nambucca Council, in 2011/12 the contractor running the pound was paid $94,600. $1,500 was spent on “Microchipping Vet Charges”, $3,500 on “Sundry Expenses”. But when it comes to “Disposal of Euthanized Animals” Council spent exactly zero dollars.

If these animals were going to a vet for disposal, at $50 an animal, there should have be a $5,000 budget allowance for a humane euthanasia. Which suggests to me that this is a shoot-at-the-tip pound. I hope I’m wrong, as it would take a special kind of Council to choose shooting pets to death with a gun, over allowing volunteers to shoot them and save them with a camera.