COVID-19: Rescue dogs shot dead in Australia over coronavirus restrictions

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.

The 16 adorable dogs, cats and rabbits up for adoption at RSPCA Leeds and Wakefield

The charity homes the animals, some of which arrived as they could no longer be cared for by their previous owner, at a centre in East Ardsley. Regardless of how they end up there, the animals are cared for until a new home can be found. The RSPCA also offers advice to people who already own pets but may be struggling to cope with the cost of food or healthcare.

Here are all the cats, dogs and rabbits currently being cared for at the centre that have not yet been matched up with the right owners. More information can be found on the RSPCA Leeds and Wakefield website.

One-year-old River is looking for a new home which is cat free, as he is a bit too boisterous around them. He enjoys the company of people and would love his new family to be around a lot of the time. (Photo: RSPCA)
One-year-old River is looking for a new home which is cat free, as he is a bit too boisterous around them. He enjoys the company of people and would love his new family to be around a lot of the time. (Photo: RSPCA)
Seven-year-olds Bob and Dooba were found after they had sadly been abandoned. They would make the perfect duo for any family. (Photo: RSPCA)
Seven-year-olds Bob and Dooba were found after they had sadly been abandoned. They would make the perfect duo for any family. (Photo: RSPCA)
Bob is missing an eye, but the RSPCA team think he was born without it so he has adapted well. He is very affectionate and likes to be in the company of others - he'll happily sit on your lap. (Photo: RSPCA)
Bob is missing an eye, but the RSPCA team think he was born without it so he has adapted well. He is very affectionate and likes to be in the company of others – he’ll happily sit on your lap. (Photo: RSPCA)
Dooba has the greenest of eyes and loves a love a good lap to lay on. He really enjoys being stroked and will even jump on your back! (Photo: RSPCA)
Dooba has the greenest of eyes and loves a love a good lap to lay on. He really enjoys being stroked and will even jump on your back! (Photo: RSPCA)
These beautiful huskies went through a lot of neglect before coming to the centre, and waited months before they were rehomed - sadly, it was not their forever home and they are back again. (Photo: RSPCA)
These beautiful huskies went through a lot of neglect before coming to the centre, and waited months before they were rehomed – sadly, it was not their forever home and they are back again. (Photo: RSPCA)
Tala is eight years old and very laidback - she love a good belly rub and pottering round the garden (Photo: RSPCA)
Tala is eight years old and very laidback – she love a good belly rub and pottering round the garden (Photo: RSPCA)
Goose is permanently on the move but so affectionate and loving towards his favourite people. He enjoys a good brush and cuddle. (Photo: RSPCA)
Goose is permanently on the move but so affectionate and loving towards his favourite people. He enjoys a good brush and cuddle. (Photo: RSPCA)
Two-year-old Rodger has a huge character and love for attention and being around people. He's quite confident once settled and will happily come up and say hello - he enjoys a stroke and fuss too. (Photo: RSPCA)
Two-year-old Rodger has a huge character and love for attention and being around people. He’s quite confident once settled and will happily come up and say hello – he enjoys a stroke and fuss too. (Photo: RSPCA)
Four-year-old Taz is a GSD x Akita who came to the centre last year after a family could no longer adopt her. She went through lots of training and was adopted again but this did not work out for her. Now, she is ready to find her forever family. (Photo: RSPCA)
Four-year-old Taz is a GSD x Akita who came to the centre last year after a family could no longer adopt her. She went through lots of training and was adopted again but this did not work out for her. Now, she is ready to find her forever family. (Photo: RSPCA)More
Three-month-old kittens Kenickie and Sandy arrived at the RSPCA along with three of their siblings, who have now been reserved. They are hoping to be adopted as a pair and are still very young, so their new forever family will need to be around a lot to keep them entertained. (Photo: RSPCA)
Three-month-old kittens Kenickie and Sandy arrived at the RSPCA along with three of their siblings, who have now been reserved. They are hoping to be adopted as a pair and are still very young, so their new forever family will need to be around a lot to keep them entertained. (Photo: RSPCA)More
Sandy is super soppy and loves a lap nap (Photo: RSPCA)
Sandy is super soppy and loves a lap nap (Photo: RSPCA)
Kenickie is always on the go and looking for the next toy to play with (Photo: RSPCA)
Kenickie is always on the go and looking for the next toy to play with (Photo: RSPCA)
This one-year-old rabbit is a handsome, chunky and curious lad. He loves to people watch and enjoys being around and sniffing people, although can get wary when being stroked. (Photo: RSPCA)
This one-year-old rabbit is a handsome, chunky and curious lad. He loves to people watch and enjoys being around and sniffing people, although can get wary when being stroked. (Photo: RSPCA)
This is mother and daughter duo Audrey and Fran. The cheeky Chihuahuas, aged nine and five, do everything together - eating, napping and playing. (Photo: RSPCA)
This is mother and daughter duo Audrey and Fran. The cheeky Chihuahuas, aged nine and five, do everything together – eating, napping and playing. (Photo: RSPCA)
Mum Audrey is shyer than Fran and can take longer to trust new people, but once she's comfortable, she loves a cuddle. (Photo: RSPCA)
Mum Audrey is shyer than Fran and can take longer to trust new people, but once she’s comfortable, she loves a cuddle. (Photo: RSPCA)
Fran always checks out new visitors, giving them the sniff of approval. The pair would suit a family experienced with Chihuahuas, and a calm, quiet and patient home with older children would be ideal. (Photo: RSPCA)
Fran always checks out new visitors, giving them the sniff of approval. The pair would suit a family experienced with Chihuahuas, and a calm, quiet and patient home with older children would be ideal. (Photo: RSPCA)
Bluebell and Buttercup are a closely-bonded pair of sisters who do almost everything together. They're about three months old and are big foodies, they love their greens – and they're very curious and playful. (Photo: RSPCA)
Bluebell and Buttercup are a closely-bonded pair of sisters who do almost everything together. They’re about three months old and are big foodies, they love their greens – and they’re very curious and playful. (Photo: RSPCA)
Zeus, a Staffie X, is a three-year-old bundle of energy and is looking for a family willing to offer unconditional love and keep up with his training. He can be unsure of other dogs so would suit a family that could help him feel comfortable when out on walks. Despite getting over excited at times, he loves a cuddle. (Photo: RSPCA)
Zeus, a Staffie X, is a three-year-old bundle of energy and is looking for a family willing to offer unconditional love and keep up with his training. He can be unsure of other dogs so would suit a family that could help him feel comfortable when out on walks. Despite getting over excited at times, he loves a cuddle. (Photo: RSPCA)More
Luca is a happy-go-lucky bun who really enjoys a quiet and relaxing life.  The one-year-old is super sweet and enjoy the company of people, he likes to be stroked whilst sat next to his favourite people.
Luca is a happy-go-lucky bun who really enjoys a quiet and relaxing life. The one-year-old is super sweet and enjoy the company of people, he likes to be stroked whilst sat next to his favourite people. 

Related Posts

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*