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.
Sad Puppy Is Separated from ‘Mother’ Cow Who Raised Him. Their Reunion Is Nothing Short of Beautiful.
‘Rookie’ cried loudly as if to say: “Please don’t separate us…”
Cue the sentimental music and get your tissues ready because this one is a tear-jerker. It has been proven over and over that animals have personalities, feelings, and emotions, just like humans do. Quite often, animals have more empathy than humans do.
One family noticed that their energetic little dog Rookie had formed a powerful friendship and bond with one of the cows on their farm. The cow was like the puppy’s mother – she would nuzzle him and groom him. He would run around and play with the cow, and he could often be found sitting or sleeping on her back.
The unlikely duo formed a powerful bond. Despite their size and species difference, they considered each other family. They did just about everything together, until one day they were separated. The cow’s owner couldn’t afford to take care of the cow, so he decided to sell her.
Rookie watched as his friend was led out of the barn. He was visibly distraught, and tears welled up in his eyes. He stood in the empty stall and howled miserably. Rookie’s cries are heartbreaking.
Rookie was beside himself with grief. He howled and barked, and you could see the despair in his eyes.
As the cow was led away, she heard little Rookie’s howling and began to moo in response. Rookie listened to the familiar voice and took off running in the direction of the sound. His paws flew down the town’s street in search of his friend. Despite his owner’s call, the only voice Rookie heard was the cow’s.
To Rookie’s joy, he located the cow in a barn across town. In relief and pure joy, Rookie jumped all over the cow and licked her. Unfortunately, Rookie’s owner came and carried him back home. Rookie desperately whined and howled as he was separated from his friend once again.
Separated from his family, Rookie became very depressed and refused to eat. The sorrow on the poor pup’s face is heart-wrenching as he stands in the empty stall where he and his friend had spent so much time together.
With his head down and tail between his legs, Rookie sadly started to walk away. Suddenly, a head appeared in the barn stall’s doorway behind him – it was his cow! The family decided that they would figure out how to afford the cow since Rookie was so attached to her.
When the cow mooed, Rookie’s head whipped around in shock – there stood his friend! He couldn’t contain his excitement and joy. The reunion was so heartwarming. He didn’t want to be separated from the cow that raised him and showed him, love, treated him like her own.
This incredible bond and display of affection between Rookie and his cow are so touching. You must have a heart of stone if this doesn’t move you. A family is a family pure and simple, no matter who you are.
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