By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
CASEY Council has thrown its support behind the impending State Government review of the Lost Dogs’ Home.
Based in North Melbourne, the Lost Dogs’ Home with a Pound Service in Cranbourne, has been battered by public outrage in the last month with accusations of wrongful and unnecessary euthanasia of its animals.
Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford has since announced a departmental investigation into the Lost Dogs’ Home, which provides pound services for 13 Victorian councils including Casey.
City of Casey manager Community Safety Caroline Bell said the council would back any review into the standards of animal care in the state.
“The City of Casey takes the welfare of animals very seriously,” she said.
“Casey is one of the few local governments in Victoria whose staff involved in animal management are authorised under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, and the first council in Victoria to successfully prosecute a puppy farm in its municipality.
“While the review announced by the State Government is focused around the North Melbourne pound, we support any review into standards of animal care in Victoria, ensuring the highest standards are being adhered to as outlined in the Domestic Animals Act and Codes of Practice.”
Chair of the Lost Dogs’ Home Dr Andrew Tribe told The Age last month the shelter would review its policies and practices with the aim of reducing the number of animals euthanized.
Casey Council has had a contract with the Lost Dogs’ Home since June 2011.
Between 1 January and 31 December last year, 1534 dogs and 945 cats were impounded from the municipality.
