melzawelza Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 Team Dog is currently running a campaign in an attempt to push Wollondilly Pound (just south of Sydney) to adopt better, more humane practices for 'suspected restricted dogs' that come in to their care. This includes having the dogs breed assessed (and temp assessed if needed) while impounded to allow adoption if they pass. After a lot of locals advocating and struggling hard against this pound for the last few years the outcomes are typically very good for most pets coming in to the shelter, but remain abysmal for dogs that rangers arbitrarily label as 'pit bulls' or pit bull cross dogs. Read the full story as to Ruby and how obstructive the council has been with us here: Wollondilly pound - a case of discriminate killing Sign and share our petition which is putting a lot of pressure on the council to do better: Petition And if you can, email the GM and Councillors directly voicing your concerns and asking for the procedure we outline in the campaign. If you're a resident of the shire I can't stress enough how you making personal contact like that will have an impact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_PL_ Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 Oh my god. What a waste. R.I.P Pretty Ruby :rainbowbridge: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melzawelza Posted March 6, 2015 Author Share Posted March 6, 2015 An absolute waste It's hard to fathom how, when we offered to pay all fees associated with having her assessed, they still killed her the first second they had a chance to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WreckitWhippet Posted March 12, 2015 Share Posted March 12, 2015 I believe that they use a loophole in the legislation in that the "owner" of the dog can request a breed assessment and temp test subject to breed assessment (providing it's assessed as an APBT cross). Because the dog does not technically have an owner once the 7 or 14 days is up, local councils can dispose of the dog. They do not have to yield to public pressure to allow the dog to be breed assessed, if they have suspect the animal to be of a restricted breed or cross. Let's face it based on phenotype and application of the current legislation they are right in this instance and without a "registered owner" to take them to court they will win this battle every time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melzawelza Posted March 12, 2015 Author Share Posted March 12, 2015 (edited) Yes WIW, we all know how you feel about putting any effort in to help non-pedigree dogs caught up in this legislation. The fact is that we have been extremely successful with campaigns like this in the past, and I'm optimistic that we will be with this one, too. I'm having a teleconference with the council on Monday and the story should be running in two local papers in the next week or so which will increase pressure on the council. No they don't *have* to change their procedure, but for many councils it is easier to do so than bear the brunt of public outrage. This pound was killing 80+% of dogs and 99+% of cats only a few years ago, something they are well within their rights to do, but pressure from the public has seen them with much more acceptable stats these days. Of course, if everyone had your attitude then nothing would ever change. Luckily they don't. ETA: Actually, after the 7 or 14 days the Council or impounding facility becomes the owner, the dog is not 'ownerless'. The council can issue the NOI on themselves or the facility, which is was is done by Renbury Farm, Sutherland Shire, Hawkesbury, Blacktown, Wyong and Gosford (plus others). There is no obligation for them to kill a dog that has not been declared as restricted. Sure, they can kill it if they want to, just like any council can kill any dog after it's impound time is up. Whether the community accepts that it was appropriate to do so, and whether they decide that it's less hassle to just follow the process is another matter. Edited March 12, 2015 by melzawelza Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melzawelza Posted September 21, 2015 Author Share Posted September 21, 2015 Update on the Wollondilly case. Council chose not to implement best practice for suspected restricted dogs however they have now got a formal procedure in place that gives any suspected restricted dog the ability to be breed and temperament assessed if a member of the public or rescue wants the dog. Not perfect, some way to go yet - but a big improvement. http://www.teamdog.com.au/wollondillyupdate/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moosmum Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 (edited) Well done. The effort is appreciated :) Hope pressure will do more. Edited September 21, 2015 by moosmum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Well done to all involved! Small steps forward are still in the right direction, yes? T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melzawelza Posted September 21, 2015 Author Share Posted September 21, 2015 Absolutely! Bit by bit. I do hope that locals continue to push for best practice, there's no reason why Wollondilly can't implement it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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