A council in Australia killed the impounded animals to prevent volunteers at an animal shelter from travelling to pick them up and potentially spreading the virus.
Fifteen rescue dogs, including 10 puppies, have been shot dead by a rural Australian council under its interpretation of coronavirus restrictions.
Bourke Shire Council in New South Wales destroyed the canines, which had been at its pound, to prevent volunteers at an animal shelter from travelling to pick them up and potentially spreading the virus.
“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,” the Office of Local Government, a government watchdog, told The Sydney Morning Herald.
The spokesman said officials were investigating whether any animal cruelty laws had been broken.
Five of the dogs had been housed at the pound since early August and one of the dogs then had 10 pups.
The council said staff became concerned for the welfare of the animals due to overcrowding at the pound and two of the dogs attacking one of the others.
A source said the shelter volunteers were distressed and already had COVID-safe measures in place to handle the dogs.
And comedian Ricky Gervais has expressed his disapproval of the killings on social media.
Bourke Shire Council told ABC News the dogs were euthanised because the rescue organisation was from another local government area and they had concerns about people from other communities entering Bourke.
All of regional New South Wales has “stay-at-home” orders in place due to COVID-19.
The council said it had contacted its usual dog rehomer, who is based in the same area, but they were unable to come to Bourke.
The shelter that was supposed to receive the dogs declined to comment.
Animal Liberation regional campaign manager Lisa Ryan has called for an urgent investigation.
“We are deeply distressed and completely appalled by this callous dog shooting and we totally reject [the] council’s unacceptable justifications that this killing was apparently undertaken as part of a COVID-safe plan,” she said.
Australia has recently seen a surge in COVID-19 cases, forcing the country’s largest city, Sydney, to extend its lockdown through September and impose tougher restrictions, such as a curfew and a mask mandate outdoors.
Staff are allowed to work at animal shelters even when lockdown measures are in place, according to the Office of Local Government spokesman.
“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,” he added.
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Dogs are social animals and love being around people. They crave attention and affection, but what happens when a dog begs strangers to stop…
Dogs are social animals and love being around people. They crave attention and affection, but what happens when a dog begs strangers to stop petting him on the street? This heartwarming story of a dog’s plea to a stranger not to leave him behind is sure to tug at your heartstrings.
A video went viral on social media recently that showed a dog begging a stranger not to leave him there. The dog in the video was being petted by a stranger on the street, but when the stranger attempted to leave, the dog put his paws up and pleaded with him not to go.
The dog was so persistent that the stranger eventually gave in and continued to pet him.
This heartwarming video shows just how much dogs love attention and affection. They are social creatures and crave human interaction. This dog’s reaction to being left behind is a testament to how much they rely on us for their emotional needs.
As dog owners, it’s important to understand our pets’ social needs and to provide them with ample opportunities to interact with people and other animals. While it may be tempting to ignore a dog begging for attention on the street, we must remember that dogs are highly social animals and thrive on human interaction.
The video of the dog begging the stranger not to leave him behind is a touching reminder of the deep emotional connection between dogs and humans. It’s up to us to ensure that our furry friends get the love and attention they need to live happy and healthy lives. So next time you see a dog begging for attention, take a moment to stop and give them a little love. You never know, it might just make their day.
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