DMA

Which is? It'll be in the Newcastle Herald tomorrow ;) It is

Teenager mauled in savage dog attack DAMON CRONSHAW 17 May, 2012 04:00 AM A LAKE Macquarie woman is recovering from a savage dog attack that left her with injuries to her ear, neck and arms that required 19 stitches. Natalie Southam, 19, of Mirrabooka, said two American Staffordshire terriers that lived next door jumped two two-metre fences into her property and attacked her. Lake Macquarie City Council confirmed the owner of the dogs involved in the attack surrendered them to a council ranger and the RSPCA euthanised them. Council waste environment and rangers manager Keith Stevenson said in a statement the council had completed interviews with people involved and intended to ‘‘prosecute the owner of the dogs for the attack’’. Animal welfare activists have accused the council of failing to declare the dogs as dangerous, despite 11 complaints over three years about dogs at the property. The council said rangers had investigated all complaints or referred them to the RSPCA. ‘‘Under the legislation, council has not been presented with sufficient evidence to warrant the issue of a dangerous dog declaration for any dogs on the premises,’’ Mr Stevenson said. ‘‘Council has not received any report that any of the dogs has previously attacked a person or other animal.’’ But a letter that the council rangers’ department sent to councillors last December said the council had received 11 ‘‘service requests’’ about dogs at the property from March 2009 to November 2011. They included allegations about dogs escaping, dogs fighting, dogs killing puppies for food, dogs causing noise and distress to neighbours and dogs killing goats. A council official said last night there had been insufficient evidence to support the allegations. Ms Southam said the two dogs bit her thigh, arm and ear, before pulling her to the ground during the attack last Friday. ‘‘One of the dogs grabbed me around my neck and I felt her tooth against my skull,’’ Ms Southam said. ‘‘I blacked out at that stage.’’ She said her partner, Lee Smith, saved her life when he swung a rake at one dog’s head: ‘‘If it was a few more seconds I wouldn’t be here.’’ Mr Smith, 35, said the dogs’ owner jumped two fences and pulled the other dog off Ms Southam. Mr Smith said one of the dogs had bitten him on the leg a year ago. Society of Companion Animal Rescuers spokeswoman Callie Redman said she witnessed and took photographs of dogs mauling each other on the property in October last year. ‘‘I warned the council about this six months ago,’’ said Ms Redman, explaining that she gave the photos, along with residents’ accounts of the dogs acting dangerously, to the council, RSPCA and police. She allegedly witnessed a dozen dogs on the property. The rangers’ department letter that was passed on to councillors said council received a complaint of 17 dogs on the property. Ms Redman questioned whether it was an unauthorised breeding operation. The council letter said previous legal and planning advice about similar allegations indicated ‘‘the occupier has to derive the majority of his or her income from the business of breeding and selling animals before approval is required’’. Ms Redman alleged she had photographic evidence to show dogs on the property were covered in mange, scars and open wounds. Ms Redman said she made five complaints to the RSPCA. RSPCA chief inspector David O’Shannessy said his organisation did investigate, but was unable to prove offences had occurred beyond a reasonable doubt. Mr Smith said the owner, who was his friend, looked after the animals as best he could and took them to the vet when needed. Ms Southam said the owner was a ‘‘good friend to me’’ and she could see how much the attack on her had hurt him. The Newcastle Herald left messages for the owner, but he did not return calls. IN HER OWN WORDS How Natalie Southam described the attack TWO pedigree American Staffordshire terriers jumped two two-metre fences, allowing them access to our backyard. I have looked after these dogs so much in the past. Honey [one of the dogs] lunged forward and bit my right inner thigh. Bubba [the other dog] jumped over Honey and grabbed my right wrist before she even touched the ground. They started pulling me downwards. Honey bit down over my left ear and it felt wet and gummy. She then let go and bit down on my neck and I felt her tooth on my skull. The owner got Honey off my neck as Lee [her partner] hit Bubba on the head with a rake. I passed out for a few seconds. When I woke up Lee had his singlet top over my ear to stop the bleeding. I remember feeling like my ear wasn't there any more. Lee kept me awake and kept talking to me. I told him my neck was hurting really badly. I remember the look on [the owner's] face. I understood how bad he was feeling. He is a good friend to me and I could see how much this was hurting him. Source: Newcastle Herald - http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/teenager-mauled-in-savage-dog-attack/2559300.aspx?storypage=1 ******************** Note there's more to this story...

Teenager mauled in savage dog attack DAMON CRONSHAW 17 May, 2012 04:00 AM A LAKE Macquarie woman is recovering from a savage dog attack that left her with injuries to her ear, neck and arms that required 19 stitches. Natalie Southam, 19, of Mirrabooka, said two American Staffordshire terriers that lived next door jumped two two-metre fences into her property and attacked her. Lake Macquarie City Council confirmed the owner of the dogs involved in the attack surrendered them to a council ranger and the RSPCA euthanised them. Council waste environment and rangers manager Keith Stevenson said in a statement the council had completed interviews with people involved and intended to ‘‘prosecute the owner of the dogs for the attack’’. Animal welfare activists have accused the council of failing to declare the dogs as dangerous, despite 11 complaints over three years about dogs at the property. The council said rangers had investigated all complaints or referred them to the RSPCA. ‘‘Under the legislation, council has not been presented with sufficient evidence to warrant the issue of a dangerous dog declaration for any dogs on the premises,’’ Mr Stevenson said. ‘‘Council has not received any report that any of the dogs has previously attacked a person or other animal.’’ But a letter that the council rangers’ department sent to councillors last December said the council had received 11 ‘‘service requests’’ about dogs at the property from March 2009 to November 2011. They included allegations about dogs escaping, dogs fighting, dogs killing puppies for food, dogs causing noise and distress to neighbours and dogs killing goats. A council official said last night there had been insufficient evidence to support the allegations. Ms Southam said the two dogs bit her thigh, arm and ear, before pulling her to the ground during the attack last Friday. ‘‘One of the dogs grabbed me around my neck and I felt her tooth against my skull,’’ Ms Southam said. ‘‘I blacked out at that stage.’’ She said her partner, Lee Smith, saved her life when he swung a rake at one dog’s head: ‘‘If it was a few more seconds I wouldn’t be here.’’ Mr Smith, 35, said the dogs’ owner jumped two fences and pulled the other dog off Ms Southam. Mr Smith said one of the dogs had bitten him on the leg a year ago. Society of Companion Animal Rescuers spokeswoman Callie Redman said she witnessed and took photographs of dogs mauling each other on the property in October last year. ‘‘I warned the council about this six months ago,’’ said Ms Redman, explaining that she gave the photos, along with residents’ accounts of the dogs acting dangerously, to the council, RSPCA and police. She allegedly witnessed a dozen dogs on the property. The rangers’ department letter that was passed on to councillors said council received a complaint of 17 dogs on the property. Ms Redman questioned whether it was an unauthorised breeding operation. The council letter said previous legal and planning advice about similar allegations indicated ‘‘the occupier has to derive the majority of his or her income from the business of breeding and selling animals before approval is required’’. Ms Redman alleged she had photographic evidence to show dogs on the property were covered in mange, scars and open wounds. Ms Redman said she made five complaints to the RSPCA. RSPCA chief inspector David O’Shannessy said his organisation did investigate, but was unable to prove offences had occurred beyond a reasonable doubt. Mr Smith said the owner, who was his friend, looked after the animals as best he could and took them to the vet when needed. Ms Southam said the owner was a ‘‘good friend to me’’ and she could see how much the attack on her had hurt him. The Newcastle Herald left messages for the owner, but he did not return calls. IN HER OWN WORDS How Natalie Southam described the attack TWO pedigree American Staffordshire terriers jumped two two-metre fences, allowing them access to our backyard. I have looked after these dogs so much in the past. Honey [one of the dogs] lunged forward and bit my right inner thigh. Bubba [the other dog] jumped over Honey and grabbed my right wrist before she even touched the ground. They started pulling me downwards. Honey bit down over my left ear and it felt wet and gummy. She then let go and bit down on my neck and I felt her tooth on my skull. The owner got Honey off my neck as Lee [her partner] hit Bubba on the head with a rake. I passed out for a few seconds. When I woke up Lee had his singlet top over my ear to stop the bleeding. I remember feeling like my ear wasn't there any more. Lee kept me awake and kept talking to me. I told him my neck was hurting really badly. I remember the look on [the owner's] face. I understood how bad he was feeling. He is a good friend to me and I could see how much this was hurting him. Source: Newcastle Herald - http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/teenager-mauled-in-savage-dog-attack/2559300.aspx?storypage=1 ******************** Note there's more to this story...

It is somewhat related albeit the battle over the pound is one part of a whole lot of problems currently plaguing Cessnock Council. Pressure against the general manager has been building for some time. When she first came in a lot of old staff were asked to leave which caused resentment. Then came the battle for Kurri pound & the RSPCA contract which became a major legal fight for council. Then there were insultive remarks last year about the workforce, which completely soured management-staff relations. They were patched up early in the year, but already a number of the councillors were thinking about replacing her. Then there was another management-staff blow-up a month ago which lead to a vote of no-confidence in the general manager by the staff. About the same time the legal cost for the pound battle was announced to the councillors who hadn't been officially informed about the legal action in the Land & Environment Court. So these two recent events ensured a confidencial session at the end of the 8 March council meeting were the councillors narrowly passed a motion against the general manager apparently (sorry don't know the details). But last night was to be the night when the majority of the councillors, it looks like it was going to be 10-3, were going to sack the general manager. This, though, was stopped with the legal action you've link to above. What happens next, I have no idea, but I have NEVER in all my life come across such antics & so forth before. How they don't get sacked by the state govt is beyond me.

The old Kurri pound story just won't die. In The Cessnock Advertiser 21/03/2012 Page 17 a local points out how badly the people of Cessnock have been ripped off. This, combinded with the fact that the court case has cost Cessnock Council over $136 000, continues the poor reputation of this council, along with this week's developments where the Council itself has taken 10 of the Councillors to court to stop them sacking the general manager. What an absolute shambles. Read article below...

Oh the Newcastle Herald won't worry. They don't check for location ;)

Good points guys. Please tell the Herald, if you haven't already, as you can leave comments: http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/puppy-farms-under-fire-in-new-policy/2479660.aspx

Sad isn't it, especially when a dog from a rescue group will cost you somewhere between $300-380 & is microchipped, vaccinated, health checked, desexed, & registered... whilst for that $800-900 the pup will be microchipped & possibly nothing else...

Hi everyone. This following article about Dr Harry, PIAA, the Govt Taskforce, & a deal struck with the RSPCA was in the Newcastle Herald this morning. No mention whatsoever about rescue groups nor animal shelters like Wyong, Muswellbrook, nor any of the Sydney ones or anyone else's for that matter. As we all know, because pet shops don't desex, they are indeed part of the problem. They can "vet" their puppies & kittens as much as they like, but whilst they continue to sell such animals undesexed, unwanted litters will always take place which mean to say they get dumped. And then there's still the impulse buying around Christmas & all the usual things pounds, shelters, & rescue groups have to deal with. Now comments at the Herald are allowed. Please send them a message that WE, & not pet shops, are the answer... please follow this link & leave your comments: http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/puppy-farms-under-fire-in-new-policy/2479660.aspx

After announcing various stats last week, in respect to comparing council pounds & RSPCA shelters, SoCares has another pleasing result to make. Once again a local Hunter Valley pound, this time Singleton has, thanks to strong rescue group commitment, achieved a kill ratio, for the financial year reporting 2010-11, of 17.5%. Bare in mind Singleton does have a feral cat issue which has also been included in this calculation. So once again, where a council impounding facility and rescue groups cooperate, we can achieve very satisfying results. Meanwhile RSPCA NSW has a kill ratio of 51.6% for the same period reporting whilst making a $12 million profit. Once again by all means share this very satisfactory result with whoever you choose...

Great to see Rusty enjoying himself. Looks like he'll be busy with that bone for a few days! :laugh:

Sorry I'm not doing the SA pound rates as the NSW ones are heard enoguh to track down. I have, though, done the RSPCA ones & they're far from good. You can easily find them in their animal report on their website. Here are their 2010-11 numbers: Incoming Cats & Dogs: 8125 Cats & dogs PTS: 3617 PTS ratio: 44.5% Please note that this is lower than RSPCA NSW but much higher than their Victotian counterparts. RSPCA SA did, though, make an operating loss of just over $300 000 whereas RSPCA NSW made a profit of $12 million.

Amen sister! :laugh:

Oh if I had a dollar for every dog & pup that's pooped in my van or car I'd be a very rich man... :laugh: Pity I'm broke

There's a Tibbie boy who's very happy that you took his photo. It led to a wonderful new home. I'm sure there'd be lots of other dogs who'd join him in saying Thank You. Well give him a big hug from me

Thanks for the congrats. I may do the photos & transport, but there's a whole lot of carers out there who have really made the difference IMHO.

Yes, you would need permission from the pound manager if not the council division leader or the general manager themselves. But this is probably an issue for the councillors & mayor to raise, not only in repsect to publicity & photos etc, but also for rescue groups to gain access via their clause 16d as I'm 100% certain that none of the councillors or mayor would be aware as to what is taking place.

RSPCA NSW doesn't release individual shelter figures, unlike their Victorian counterparts. Which "shelter" are you refering to in respect to not blaming them?

After two days of announcing great results, where rescue groups & councils cooperate in getting the shelter kill rates down to amazingly low levels, I must report on a recalcitrant council who has nothing to do with the rescue community. And it shows in its figures. Campbelltown City Council's figures, for the year reporting 2010-11, are nothing short of disgusting. These are their figures: Animals entering shelter: 3617 Animals PTS: 2346 This means their kill ratio is 64.9%! Now remember our comparisions. The RSPCA NSW has a kill rate of 51.5% which is too high. Their Victorian counterparts are at 35.9%. The AWL NSW is at 29.9% whilst old Kurri pound was at 31.4%. Meanwhile SoCares has just reported that both Muswellbrook & Wyong shelters are at 12%. The picture is clear: where council's cooperate with rescue groups the kill ratio drops dramatically when dedicated people work together to make a difference. I think it's time for massive political agitation to take place especially in a year where local elections are due in September. And by all means spread this around to everyone you know :)

I'd be more than happy if Shel would do so

At this stage, I'd only mention the outstanding performances of Muswellbrook and Wyong 'shelter/pounds'. And suggest this should be the means & standard for all unspecified pounds. It's that benchmark which ought to be got into the public mind. That's pretty much what I said, with just the RSPCA as comparision. They will not publish anything from me.

Good on you for looking at stats. There should be public recognition and praise for 'pound/shelters' like Muswellbrook & Wyong. How about a letter to the Sydney Morning Herald? Someone whose knowledge and opinion I trust, commented to me how impressed they were re the conditions and attitudes expressed when they visited Wyong. So bouquets to the councils that allow the pounds to work to that model, the staff that make it happen and the rescue folk who so willingly take some of the load. Well I wrote a letter yesterday, to the Newcastle Herald, but as usual I've heard nothing back. Mention anything, which looks like criticism of the RSPCA, & they simply won't publish it let alone write an article about it. Meanwhile, yes top marks to Muswellbrook & Wyong for cooperating with the numerous rescue groups, not to mention those very same rescue groups who have help make such success happen

Hey everyone. I've been working on the 2011 stats for a couple of pounds, up my way who I work with, & I've have some excellent news to report! Thanks to all the efforts by the rescue groups, as well as the various staff members of the pounds involved, we have gotten the kill ratio of both Muswellbrook & Wyong pounds, which I'll now happily call shelters (as that's exactly what they are these days), down to a mere 12%! When I started in rescue, a result of 30% was considered impressive, but 12% is just astonishing. It just goes to show what hard work & dedication, from members of the rescue group community, can truly achieve. Let us compare that with elsewhere shall we? The RSPCA NSW has a kill ratio of about 51.5% whilst they made $12 million profit last year & were worth $80 million overall (all their published figures BTW). Meanwhile the AWL NSW, who made about $1.5 million in profit, had a respectable 29.9% kill ratio. Kurri pound, even with all the numerous known problems there, had (for 2009-10 year reporting) a kill ratio of 31.4%. About the same as the AWL, with their Get2Zero program, whilst it wouldn't surprise me in the least if Port Stephens pound also hovers about 30%. Clearly something is wrong with the RSPCA NSW model IMHO, especially in the light that RSPCA VIC, who only made $150 000 last year, had a far more respectable kill ratio of 35.9% than their NSW counterparts.

Oh I forgot to update here the second day. Sorry things have been sooooooo busy. Yes the second day. We presented compelling evidence to support our two claims that: 1) There were no extenuating circumstances &; 2) the only people Cessnock Council ever talked to was the RSPCA. So we certainly have put forward a strong case. In the afternoon they basically argued about legal tecnicalities. The Council legal team countered some of our evidence, but by concentrating on technicalities they were trying to either have much of the evidence ruled as irrelevant or tried to put a different interpretation on it. At the end of the trail I've got to admit I have no idea how we went. The judge will hand down her findings in two to three months or so I'm told.

I can't stay long as I'm on the train heading home, plus the battery is getting low, but the first day is over & we've ended on a good note. Our evidence looks solid. No promises, & please bare in mind I can't really say much given we're in the middle of the proceedings, but the good old Section 430 Report made another appearence to the surprise & annoyance of Cessnock Council. It's just like Banquo's ghost - it just won't go away.