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.
Brave Mother Dog Jumps and Sacrifices Her Life To Protect Her Poor Cubs Under A Falling Tree
When it comes to the power of motherly love, no one can deny the extent to which a mother will go to protect her progeny. This is notably true in the animal kingdom, where maternal instincts are essential for survival. One such instance of this can be seen in the narrative of a mother dog who sacrificed herself to save her offspring in front of a fallen tree.
In this endearing tale, a mother dog and her young puppy were out for a walk when they came across a fallen tree obstructing their path. The infant was too small to clamber over the tree, and the mother dog knew that she had to find a means to assist her little one. With no other options available, the mother dog made the ultimate sacrifice and settled down on the ground, creating a makeshift bridge for her puppy to traverse over the tree.
As the infant made its way across the mother’s back, the weight of the little one proved to be too much for the mother dog, and she was unable to get back up. Despite her immense agony and discomfort, the mother dog remained in the same position until assistance arrived. Her altruistic act of love had saved her puppy’s life, but it had come at a tremendous cost to her own.
This tale is a testament to the power of motherly love and the extraordinary extent that a mother will go to protect her young. It is a reminder that love knows no bounds and that the bond between a mother and her child is unbreakable. The mother dog’s sacrifice is a genuine example of the unconditional love that exists between a mother and her progeny.
At its essence, this narrative is about selflessness and sacrifice. It is a reminder that true love means placing the requirements of others before your own. The mother dog could have easily left her puppy behind and continued on her way, but she knew that her child’s safety was more essential than her own. It is this kind of selflessness that makes the bond between a mother and her child so special.
The power of motherly love can be seen throughout the animal kingdom, from canines to lions to birds. It is a force that is genuinely awe-inspiring and has the ability to move even the hardest of souls. This story of the mother dog and her puppy is just one example of the myriad acts of love that take place in the animal kingdom every day.
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