DMA

Which is? It'll be in the Newcastle Herald tomorrow ;) It is

Teenager mauled in savage dog attack DAMON CRONSHAW 17 May, 2012 04:00 AM A LAKE Macquarie woman is recovering from a savage dog attack that left her with injuries to her ear, neck and arms that required 19 stitches. Natalie Southam, 19, of Mirrabooka, said two American Staffordshire terriers that lived next door jumped two two-metre fences into her property and attacked her. Lake Macquarie City Council confirmed the owner of the dogs involved in the attack surrendered them to a council ranger and the RSPCA euthanised them. Council waste environment and rangers manager Keith Stevenson said in a statement the council had completed interviews with people involved and intended to ‘‘prosecute the owner of the dogs for the attack’’. Animal welfare activists have accused the council of failing to declare the dogs as dangerous, despite 11 complaints over three years about dogs at the property. The council said rangers had investigated all complaints or referred them to the RSPCA. ‘‘Under the legislation, council has not been presented with sufficient evidence to warrant the issue of a dangerous dog declaration for any dogs on the premises,’’ Mr Stevenson said. ‘‘Council has not received any report that any of the dogs has previously attacked a person or other animal.’’ But a letter that the council rangers’ department sent to councillors last December said the council had received 11 ‘‘service requests’’ about dogs at the property from March 2009 to November 2011. They included allegations about dogs escaping, dogs fighting, dogs killing puppies for food, dogs causing noise and distress to neighbours and dogs killing goats. A council official said last night there had been insufficient evidence to support the allegations. Ms Southam said the two dogs bit her thigh, arm and ear, before pulling her to the ground during the attack last Friday. ‘‘One of the dogs grabbed me around my neck and I felt her tooth against my skull,’’ Ms Southam said. ‘‘I blacked out at that stage.’’ She said her partner, Lee Smith, saved her life when he swung a rake at one dog’s head: ‘‘If it was a few more seconds I wouldn’t be here.’’ Mr Smith, 35, said the dogs’ owner jumped two fences and pulled the other dog off Ms Southam. Mr Smith said one of the dogs had bitten him on the leg a year ago. Society of Companion Animal Rescuers spokeswoman Callie Redman said she witnessed and took photographs of dogs mauling each other on the property in October last year. ‘‘I warned the council about this six months ago,’’ said Ms Redman, explaining that she gave the photos, along with residents’ accounts of the dogs acting dangerously, to the council, RSPCA and police. She allegedly witnessed a dozen dogs on the property. The rangers’ department letter that was passed on to councillors said council received a complaint of 17 dogs on the property. Ms Redman questioned whether it was an unauthorised breeding operation. The council letter said previous legal and planning advice about similar allegations indicated ‘‘the occupier has to derive the majority of his or her income from the business of breeding and selling animals before approval is required’’. Ms Redman alleged she had photographic evidence to show dogs on the property were covered in mange, scars and open wounds. Ms Redman said she made five complaints to the RSPCA. RSPCA chief inspector David O’Shannessy said his organisation did investigate, but was unable to prove offences had occurred beyond a reasonable doubt. Mr Smith said the owner, who was his friend, looked after the animals as best he could and took them to the vet when needed. Ms Southam said the owner was a ‘‘good friend to me’’ and she could see how much the attack on her had hurt him. The Newcastle Herald left messages for the owner, but he did not return calls. IN HER OWN WORDS How Natalie Southam described the attack TWO pedigree American Staffordshire terriers jumped two two-metre fences, allowing them access to our backyard. I have looked after these dogs so much in the past. Honey [one of the dogs] lunged forward and bit my right inner thigh. Bubba [the other dog] jumped over Honey and grabbed my right wrist before she even touched the ground. They started pulling me downwards. Honey bit down over my left ear and it felt wet and gummy. She then let go and bit down on my neck and I felt her tooth on my skull. The owner got Honey off my neck as Lee [her partner] hit Bubba on the head with a rake. I passed out for a few seconds. When I woke up Lee had his singlet top over my ear to stop the bleeding. I remember feeling like my ear wasn't there any more. Lee kept me awake and kept talking to me. I told him my neck was hurting really badly. I remember the look on [the owner's] face. I understood how bad he was feeling. He is a good friend to me and I could see how much this was hurting him. Source: Newcastle Herald - http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/teenager-mauled-in-savage-dog-attack/2559300.aspx?storypage=1 ******************** Note there's more to this story...

Teenager mauled in savage dog attack DAMON CRONSHAW 17 May, 2012 04:00 AM A LAKE Macquarie woman is recovering from a savage dog attack that left her with injuries to her ear, neck and arms that required 19 stitches. Natalie Southam, 19, of Mirrabooka, said two American Staffordshire terriers that lived next door jumped two two-metre fences into her property and attacked her. Lake Macquarie City Council confirmed the owner of the dogs involved in the attack surrendered them to a council ranger and the RSPCA euthanised them. Council waste environment and rangers manager Keith Stevenson said in a statement the council had completed interviews with people involved and intended to ‘‘prosecute the owner of the dogs for the attack’’. Animal welfare activists have accused the council of failing to declare the dogs as dangerous, despite 11 complaints over three years about dogs at the property. The council said rangers had investigated all complaints or referred them to the RSPCA. ‘‘Under the legislation, council has not been presented with sufficient evidence to warrant the issue of a dangerous dog declaration for any dogs on the premises,’’ Mr Stevenson said. ‘‘Council has not received any report that any of the dogs has previously attacked a person or other animal.’’ But a letter that the council rangers’ department sent to councillors last December said the council had received 11 ‘‘service requests’’ about dogs at the property from March 2009 to November 2011. They included allegations about dogs escaping, dogs fighting, dogs killing puppies for food, dogs causing noise and distress to neighbours and dogs killing goats. A council official said last night there had been insufficient evidence to support the allegations. Ms Southam said the two dogs bit her thigh, arm and ear, before pulling her to the ground during the attack last Friday. ‘‘One of the dogs grabbed me around my neck and I felt her tooth against my skull,’’ Ms Southam said. ‘‘I blacked out at that stage.’’ She said her partner, Lee Smith, saved her life when he swung a rake at one dog’s head: ‘‘If it was a few more seconds I wouldn’t be here.’’ Mr Smith, 35, said the dogs’ owner jumped two fences and pulled the other dog off Ms Southam. Mr Smith said one of the dogs had bitten him on the leg a year ago. Society of Companion Animal Rescuers spokeswoman Callie Redman said she witnessed and took photographs of dogs mauling each other on the property in October last year. ‘‘I warned the council about this six months ago,’’ said Ms Redman, explaining that she gave the photos, along with residents’ accounts of the dogs acting dangerously, to the council, RSPCA and police. She allegedly witnessed a dozen dogs on the property. The rangers’ department letter that was passed on to councillors said council received a complaint of 17 dogs on the property. Ms Redman questioned whether it was an unauthorised breeding operation. The council letter said previous legal and planning advice about similar allegations indicated ‘‘the occupier has to derive the majority of his or her income from the business of breeding and selling animals before approval is required’’. Ms Redman alleged she had photographic evidence to show dogs on the property were covered in mange, scars and open wounds. Ms Redman said she made five complaints to the RSPCA. RSPCA chief inspector David O’Shannessy said his organisation did investigate, but was unable to prove offences had occurred beyond a reasonable doubt. Mr Smith said the owner, who was his friend, looked after the animals as best he could and took them to the vet when needed. Ms Southam said the owner was a ‘‘good friend to me’’ and she could see how much the attack on her had hurt him. The Newcastle Herald left messages for the owner, but he did not return calls. IN HER OWN WORDS How Natalie Southam described the attack TWO pedigree American Staffordshire terriers jumped two two-metre fences, allowing them access to our backyard. I have looked after these dogs so much in the past. Honey [one of the dogs] lunged forward and bit my right inner thigh. Bubba [the other dog] jumped over Honey and grabbed my right wrist before she even touched the ground. They started pulling me downwards. Honey bit down over my left ear and it felt wet and gummy. She then let go and bit down on my neck and I felt her tooth on my skull. The owner got Honey off my neck as Lee [her partner] hit Bubba on the head with a rake. I passed out for a few seconds. When I woke up Lee had his singlet top over my ear to stop the bleeding. I remember feeling like my ear wasn't there any more. Lee kept me awake and kept talking to me. I told him my neck was hurting really badly. I remember the look on [the owner's] face. I understood how bad he was feeling. He is a good friend to me and I could see how much this was hurting him. Source: Newcastle Herald - http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/teenager-mauled-in-savage-dog-attack/2559300.aspx?storypage=1 ******************** Note there's more to this story...

It is somewhat related albeit the battle over the pound is one part of a whole lot of problems currently plaguing Cessnock Council. Pressure against the general manager has been building for some time. When she first came in a lot of old staff were asked to leave which caused resentment. Then came the battle for Kurri pound & the RSPCA contract which became a major legal fight for council. Then there were insultive remarks last year about the workforce, which completely soured management-staff relations. They were patched up early in the year, but already a number of the councillors were thinking about replacing her. Then there was another management-staff blow-up a month ago which lead to a vote of no-confidence in the general manager by the staff. About the same time the legal cost for the pound battle was announced to the councillors who hadn't been officially informed about the legal action in the Land & Environment Court. So these two recent events ensured a confidencial session at the end of the 8 March council meeting were the councillors narrowly passed a motion against the general manager apparently (sorry don't know the details). But last night was to be the night when the majority of the councillors, it looks like it was going to be 10-3, were going to sack the general manager. This, though, was stopped with the legal action you've link to above. What happens next, I have no idea, but I have NEVER in all my life come across such antics & so forth before. How they don't get sacked by the state govt is beyond me.

The old Kurri pound story just won't die. In The Cessnock Advertiser 21/03/2012 Page 17 a local points out how badly the people of Cessnock have been ripped off. This, combinded with the fact that the court case has cost Cessnock Council over $136 000, continues the poor reputation of this council, along with this week's developments where the Council itself has taken 10 of the Councillors to court to stop them sacking the general manager. What an absolute shambles. Read article below...

Oh the Newcastle Herald won't worry. They don't check for location ;)

Good points guys. Please tell the Herald, if you haven't already, as you can leave comments: http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/puppy-farms-under-fire-in-new-policy/2479660.aspx

Sad isn't it, especially when a dog from a rescue group will cost you somewhere between $300-380 & is microchipped, vaccinated, health checked, desexed, & registered... whilst for that $800-900 the pup will be microchipped & possibly nothing else...

Hi everyone. This following article about Dr Harry, PIAA, the Govt Taskforce, & a deal struck with the RSPCA was in the Newcastle Herald this morning. No mention whatsoever about rescue groups nor animal shelters like Wyong, Muswellbrook, nor any of the Sydney ones or anyone else's for that matter. As we all know, because pet shops don't desex, they are indeed part of the problem. They can "vet" their puppies & kittens as much as they like, but whilst they continue to sell such animals undesexed, unwanted litters will always take place which mean to say they get dumped. And then there's still the impulse buying around Christmas & all the usual things pounds, shelters, & rescue groups have to deal with. Now comments at the Herald are allowed. Please send them a message that WE, & not pet shops, are the answer... please follow this link & leave your comments: http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/puppy-farms-under-fire-in-new-policy/2479660.aspx

After announcing various stats last week, in respect to comparing council pounds & RSPCA shelters, SoCares has another pleasing result to make. Once again a local Hunter Valley pound, this time Singleton has, thanks to strong rescue group commitment, achieved a kill ratio, for the financial year reporting 2010-11, of 17.5%. Bare in mind Singleton does have a feral cat issue which has also been included in this calculation. So once again, where a council impounding facility and rescue groups cooperate, we can achieve very satisfying results. Meanwhile RSPCA NSW has a kill ratio of 51.6% for the same period reporting whilst making a $12 million profit. Once again by all means share this very satisfactory result with whoever you choose...

Great to see Rusty enjoying himself. Looks like he'll be busy with that bone for a few days! :laugh:

Sorry I'm not doing the SA pound rates as the NSW ones are heard enoguh to track down. I have, though, done the RSPCA ones & they're far from good. You can easily find them in their animal report on their website. Here are their 2010-11 numbers: Incoming Cats & Dogs: 8125 Cats & dogs PTS: 3617 PTS ratio: 44.5% Please note that this is lower than RSPCA NSW but much higher than their Victotian counterparts. RSPCA SA did, though, make an operating loss of just over $300 000 whereas RSPCA NSW made a profit of $12 million.

Amen sister! :laugh:

Oh if I had a dollar for every dog & pup that's pooped in my van or car I'd be a very rich man... :laugh: Pity I'm broke

There's a Tibbie boy who's very happy that you took his photo. It led to a wonderful new home. I'm sure there'd be lots of other dogs who'd join him in saying Thank You. Well give him a big hug from me