Berrigan Shire is one of those little on-the-border of Victoria towns, which are closer to Melbourne than Sydney. The Shire has a human population of less than 10,000 and includes the towns of Barooga, Berrigan, Finley and Tocumwal.
According to their Annual Reports, they pay nearly $80,000 a year on “Companion Animal and Livestock Impounding – Staff Salary”.
And what does the community get for their spend?
Almost two thirds of dogs impounded in Berrigan Shire Council since July have been euthanised, with the remaining third only escaping if claimed by their owner.
The euthanasia rate of cats is even higher, with 100 per cent being euthanised after less than a month in the municipal pound.
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Of the 67 dogs and 22 cats impounded since July last year, only 21 left the pound – just one dog was sold, the remaining 20 were dogs released back to their owners.
That’s practically a 100% kill rate for unclaimed animals. A pretty amazing achievement. How did they reach such dizzying heights of fails? Get ready for the blame game!
According to Council development manager Laurie Stevens, they have become a “problem of plague proportions” in the shire.
The pound received less than 100 dogs a year, and less than 20 cats. That means they bring in about one dog every four days and one cat a month, which OBVIOUSLY would leave anyone feeling TOTALLY SWAMPED YOU GUYS!
If the animal ‘plague’ would just let them catch their breath, then maybe they could look to do something with these pets other than kill them, but you know plagues.
I mean, not TODAY obviously…
Sure, some networking could be done today, but at any moment PLAGUE! And so it’s vital that we keep killing. You see our predicament.
(Mr Stevens) said “dogs and cats were often found “wandering around” streets”
Well gosh darn it, if lost pets would simply find their own way home. Stupid pets. What do you think they’re paying us for. Wait, what?
“or were handed in by owners “who didn’t want to deal with them”.
Because its completely unreasonable for people to take their unwanted animals to an animal shelter. Stupid people.
(Ms Stevens) said he hadn’t heard of any groups working in the region, and had not been approached by any.
“Why don’t they actually advertise themselves, and do actually let us know about them?” Mr Stevens said.
“Why don’t they act and pick up our animals?”
Oh EXACTLY! Why don’t those lazy ass animal rescuers get down here and do our jobs for us. It is just so ridiculous of them to not be here already, saving pets from our killy’ness. Stupid rescuers.
“In major regional centres (impounded animals) would probably have a chance,” he said.
“Who’s going to pick them up from here?’
You hear that, potential pet families? You are UTTER BASTARDS for not rushing to our pound. Sure, we don’t advertise pets, or try looking for options for them, but by the sheer force of TELEPATHY you should be saving these animals from us.
And we did advertise that one time. Our website has that dog available back in January.
Sure, you it was through wire and you couldn’t see his face, but what of it? But we know that you wouldn’t drive the three hours from Melbourne to save them anyway because you SUCK. So what do you want us to do? Stupid adopters.
Just forty minutes away, in the Moira Shire, their rate of killing is reaching record lows, thanks to a proactive local council relationship with rescue groups.
Victorian Dog Rescue president Trisha Taylor said, “we would hope (Berrigan) look at their figures and then see what pounds like Moira were doing.”
I would also hope ratepayers in the shire, ask their council what their $80k a year is being spent on, if not saving animals, keeping up with industry trends, or marketing available pets… and if they are happy if the answer is simply ‘killing and blaming everyone for it’.
