“Odiously absurd”: Animal shelter euthanises dogs over COVID-19 fears
An animal shelter in north-west New South Wales has come under fire for euthanising several rescue dogs.
Authorities at the Bourke Shire Council put down the animals to further enforce COVID-19 travel restrictions in the area .
A shelter in Cobar, in there state's central west, was supposed to come and collect the animals, but the Bourke Shire Council didn't want breaching state-wide travel restrictions.
Residents in regional New South Wales are currently subject to lockdown measures, containing them to their local government area unless leaving for essential reasons.
The town of Cobar has a population of under 4,000 and has remained largely untouched by COVID-19, with fragments detected in wastewater samples but no cases reported.
The Office of Local Government has launched an investigation to the killings, after receiving nation-wide backlash.
Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst said she was told 16 dogs were killed, including a “mother dog and her puppies”.
The MP took to Facebook to express her anger and sadness at the cruel act.
“While there are reports the dogs were shot, our contacts have told us they were euthanised,” she wrote.
“I’m sharing this to make it clear there is NO health order for pounds to kill all the animals - please share this so it doesn’t happen again.”
News of the mass-killings have reached an international audience online, with many condemning the barbarity of the council's decision.
British comedian and animal right activist Ricky Gervais described the council as “stupid c****” while English football legend Gary Lineker said it was “odiously absurd”.
Image credit: FILE PHOTO - Shutterstock