Council to consider dog petition at next meeting
Published on 13 February 2014
13 February 2014
Mayor Annette Main today said that the Wanganui District Council’s policy on euthanising dogs will be discussed at the next Council meeting on March 10.
“This week our staff have met with the organiser of a petition which calls for the Council to stop using the euthanising chamber at the pound,” Mayor Main said.
“We are currently having a constructive discussion with representatives of HuHa animal welfare organisation regarding any assistance and advice that they can offer around the euthanisation of dogs, rehoming programmes and the wider operation of the pound facility.
“We expect that the petition will be presented at the next Council meeting and that the Council will be able to move forward quickly with a review of necessary changes to pound operations and facilities in line with current animal welfare standards and practice.
“We have also had offers of assistance to improve animal welfare processes and services in the short term until the Council can consider the petition. We appreciate the generosity of those people and will be following up with them.
"However, while the petition organiser and HuHa representatives are working constructively with us, we are very concerned about the threats and abuse being directed at Council staff by other members of the public. We know that people have very strong opinions on this matter but we ask that they treat our staff with respect. The petition is a way they can present their view to the Council in a forum where we can discuss it properly and are able to make decisions on the future practices at the pound.”
Deputy Chief Executive Julian Harkness says it is unacceptable that members of the animal control team have been threatened and verbally abused, including in front of their young children.
“Our animal control staff are carrying out their jobs in accordance with the Council’s practice, using the equipment they are provided with,” Mr Harkness said.
“We will not tolerate threats to any of our staff and have followed up these incidents with the Police who are taking action.
“The animal control team members do not make the decision about how dogs are euthanised. It is a particularly unpleasant aspect of their job but unfortunately the pound has to deal with a large number of unwanted and abandoned dogs and dogs which are unsuitable for rehoming. We need to be clear that many of the dogs they deal with are not nice family pets that have been well cared for. They have come from irresponsible owners and we cannot risk placing them in new homes.
“It is also often difficult to find new owners for the dogs that we would like to rehome. So we urge people who are considering getting a dog to come to the pound to see whether there are any suitable dogs available.
“On a positive note, we would like to thank the members of the public who have been expressing their support for our animal control staff and the difficult job they have to do.”