Bourke Shire Council in northwestern New South Wales recently
ordered the killing of 16 rescue dogs over concerns the volunteers
travelling to collect them might bring COVID-19 into its remote
community.
The dogs, which included "a mother and her puppies", were due to be
rescued by an animal shelter in Cobar, which is around 160
kilometres to the south.
While Bourke council has not commented about its decision, the
New South Wales Office of Local Government (OAG) says the council
committed the act "to protect its employees and community.
[against] the risk of COVID-19 transmission if personnel from an
animal rehoming organisation".
The OAG has since launched an investigation, which many believe
is futile given the organisation's supportive statements.
