Several rescue dogs being kept in a pound while waiting to be saved by a shelter have been shot dead by a NSW council, apparently as part of their strategy to prevent COVID-19 spread.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Bourke Shire Council (in north west NSW) killed the rescue dogs to stop volunteers from an animal shelter in Cobar from travelling into the area. According to the Office of Local Government, the council did so as part of a strategy to prevent the potential spread of COVID through people travelling to rescue them.
“OLG (Office of Local Government) 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 spokesman from the government agency said, as per SMH.
Cobar hasn’t reported any positive COVID-19 cases yet, though traces of the virus have been found in the area’s sewage system.
The OLG spokesman said the agency was probing the incident to ensure that no animal cruelty laws had been broken.
A source told SMH that the shelter volunteers are distressed by what happened and had COVID-safe measures in place for the pick up. The source also reported that one of the dogs was a new mum.
The Office of Local Government issued advice to all councils about operating pounds during the pandemic, saying that pounds should update their procedures to make sure these services continue, while still keeping staff and volunteers safe.
“Councils are also encouraged to continue to work with re-homing organisations and volunteers to care for animals, where that can be undertaken consistent with NSW Health advice,” the spokesman said.
In July, the agency said pounds and shelters could remain open to the public during the pandemic since people involved in animal welfare are authorised workers in locked-down areas.
“Accordingly, prospective new owners should still be encouraged to “adopt not shop”, consistent with NSW Health advice,” the OLG stated.
