COVID-19: Rescue dogs shot dead in Australia over coronavirus restrictions

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.

Malamute teaches pet dad how to ‘speak dog’ in hilarious video

“It seems that Hugo has no patience for this student,” joked an Instagram user while reacting to a funny video of a Malamute and his pet dad.

Social media is flooded with videos of dog parents teaching various tricks to their pet pooches. However, have you ever seen a dog teaching something to its pet parents? Meet Hugo The Malamute, a cute dog who has donned the hat of a teacher to help his pet dad learn something very important – how to ‘speak dog’.

“Hugo teaches me to speak dog,” reads a caption posted along with a video that shows Hugo trying his best to teach his human how to ‘speak dog’ properly. The video is posted on an Instagram page dedicated to the dog.

The video opens with Hugo and his human sitting on the floor. Throughout the video, the dog keeps on trying to teach its human. What is even more hilarious is how he expresses his frustration to his pet dad failing to learn.

“It seems that Hugo has no patience for this student,” joked an Instagram user. “Are you treat orientated? They might help you learn,” added another “This made me laugh so hard. You guys have a great relationship!” praised a third. “Love how he just puts his paw right on your chest, like a true buddy,” added a fourth. “That’s so funny. I did that with my pup Charlie. He got so excited he jumped all over the place,” wrote a fifth.

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