Kill rate fury

Posted on 14/06/2013
 

Greens candidate for Hunter David Atwell is outraged an online petition of 34,000 signatures against the kill rates of impounded animals cannot be debated in NSW Parliament.

The federal candidate said online petitions should be accepted as well as hard copies to reflect our technological society.

He said the petition was important because it showed people were concerned about the kill rates of impounded animals, especially at the RSPCA which had a 50.6 per cent euthanasia rate for dogs and cats.

He emphasised the Companion Animals Act requires every council pound to try and rehome the animal before it was killed, and more needed to be done.

Mr Atwell wants a federal office for animal welfare established that could intervene across the nation.

If elected he will fight for the office to be established.

“It is extremely disappointing that the RSPCA will not work with animal rescue groups to rehome animals,” Mr Atwell said.

“Pounds at Wyong and Muswellbrook, which work with animal rescue groups, have the much lower figures starting at 8 per cent.”

“It is equally disappointing that the state government’s Companion Animal Taskforce apparently accepts the high kill rate as it is totally ignoring the issue.”

Source: http://www.maitlandmercury.com.au/story/1568982/kill-rate-fury/?cs=171