DMA

I am bumping this thread as our court case starts today - in about 10 minutes in fact. I'll make updates, over the next two days, as our case progresses... paws crossed

Maybe you guys could hint to the Gosford people to see if NBN can pay a visit ;)

Wyong Animal Care Facility was in the news last night on NBN TV. They've now got an internet link for anyone who missed it: http://www.nbnnews.com.au/index.php/2012/01/18/happy-tails/ It's a really good story showcasing how effective a no-kill shelter can be & also the great community support it gets. Please watch it if you have a minute to spare :)

Interesting letter to the Newcastle Herald about RSPCA Rutherford vs local rescue groups. I'm surprised they published it! Here's the link: http://www.theherald.com.au/news/opinion/letters/general/some-save-more-pets/2417587.aspx Please leave a comment if the Herald won't allow it ;) Also don't forget that the SoCares Support Group's court case, against Cessnock Council & the impounding contract, is coming up on 6 & 7 of February!

Oh God! Sorry I missed this! Last year was just ssssooooooooooooooooooooooo full on in every dept! Yeah it seems the days of four thirds is numbered but then again, what with the huge scandel which hit Olympus, maybe Olympus days is numbered The key, however, to your situation is get better glass. Yes the E-5 is better than the E-30 - there's no doubt about that given I'm getting the best out of the SWD lenses I have, which I also used with your E-30. Nevertheless it's the glass that's important here, & not overly the body, if you want the best results. In fact you will still be complaining about those kit lenses regardless of body whether it be the E-30 or the E-5. So although it means a further investment in the 4/3rds system, I'd recommend you get the 12-60mm SWD & the 50-200mm SWD. They are by far & away two of the best lenses anyone makes period. And it is because of the optics that I choose to stay with Olympus. Seriously getting such glass will seem like you've gotten a new camera the improvement is that much better.

As mentioned, the hearing was held on Friday 7 October. The initial court hearing has cleared the way & our case is before the Land & Environment Court on 6-7 Feb 2012 from 10am. For details of anyone wishing to attend, please follow this link to the Land & Environment Court's website: http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lec

As mentioned, the hearing was held on Friday 7 October. The initial court hearing has cleared the way & our case is before the Land & Environment Court on 6-7 Feb 2012 from 10am. For details of anyone wishing to attend, please follow this link to the Land & Environment Court's website: http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lec

We have offered mediation, but no reply as yet. Given the date, I highly doubt they are interested.

Just a quick update... they were served with the court summons on Tuesday

This is a very simplistic view of a rather complicated matter. What you fail to mention is that one group are registered, inspected & governed to a standard, by a recognised body, whilst the others are a law unto themselves with often little regard to the welfare of the animals in question (maybe you should read this Herald article about the notorious Kindee Kennels - http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/animals-in-stinking-cages/2295568.aspx). This is a prime example of what we deal with most days of the week. They are not an isolated incident. So don't muddy the waters by trying to confuse the situation, by bringing in lawfully abiding registured breeders, when people like Kindee Kennels carry on in the manner they do. Here's one of the photos Jim Sullivan (SoCares Committee Member) took whilst on the Kindee Kennels raid: Hosted by The Newcastle Herald And you have no authority to order us to do otherwise. Be rest assured, though, everything we do is examined beforehand by one of three law firms, before anything further is done. We then involve the RSPCA (who we co-operate with on a daily basis) as well as local government authority(s). Needless to say there is a lot more law involved than you may realise. It isn't only about the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. It also involves zoning laws as well as Development Applications as governed by the Local Government & other sundry Acts. Then there is also business laws, ranging from something as unfamiliar as the NSW Business Names Act to people not declaring their income, from the sale of animals, to the ATO. And maybe you're just another puppy farmer which the RSPCA & your local council needs to investigate ;) Now I must seriously run... I've got a Council to sue amongst other things...

I refuse to state in a public forum any such information, especially to a stranger who has clearly launched such an agressive approach. Please read the article, written by the Heard, where senior committee member Jim Sullivan states our position. If you are a registured breeder you have nothing to fear. If your dogs are well looked after, & catered for, you have nothing to fear. That is your opnion. If you don't mind, please leave your ignorant comments to yourself. Only someone who has never reported a backyard breeder to either body would say something like that. Now I've got to run to Singleton pound, pick up a sweet staffy x who is due for euthinasia today, drop him off to a rescue foster carer, then go to our lawyers in Newcastle, pick up a summons, & then serve Cessnock City Council with it. Busy day... this is what we do BTW

It's not illegal to breed dogs in your back yard, nor is it illegal to breed them in large numbers. If people believe that dogs are being kept in sub standard conditions and that their health and well being is in jeopardy, then the appropriate people to complain to are the RSPCA and the local council. from the website D and just who is "Socares" and what "authority" do they have to "investigate" ? SoCares could well find themselves on the other end of a legal challenge. ETA: and what will become of the ANKC registered breeders who get caught up in all of this ? Actually we're the ones who issue legal challenges

Press Release On Thursday 15 September 2011 lawyers, on behalf of SoCares Support Group Inc, have filed a legal challenge against Cessnock City Council for their resolution, dated Wednesday 15 June 2011, to outsource the Council’s impounding services to the RSPCA NSW. The challenge is in respect to the fact that Cessnock City Council did not call a tender, for their impounding service contract, even though members of our Association, other related groups, potential tenderers, as well as general members of the public, advised them to do so. The call for a tender is a requirement under Section 55 of the Local Government Act. We challenge Cessnock City Council’s position, wherein they claim extenuating circumstances as an exception to calling for a tender, where we assert there are no such extenuating circumstances whatsoever. Similarly we challenge Cessnock City Council’s position that there is no viable alternative tenderer to the one which they have arbitrarily chosen. The Land & Environment Court will conduct a hearing on the matter on 7 October 2011. The Court will then announce a date for the trail. We expect that to take place in about 6 to 8 months time. On Behalf of the SoCares Support Committee. Please make all enquires to: [email protected] ****************************** Source: http://www.supportgroup.socares.com.au/press_release.htm

Press Release On Thursday 15 September 2011 lawyers, on behalf of SoCares Support Group Inc, have filed a legal challenge against Cessnock City Council for their resolution, dated Wednesday 15 June 2011, to outsource the Council’s impounding services to the RSPCA NSW. The challenge is in respect to the fact that Cessnock City Council did not call a tender, for their impounding service contract, even though members of our Association, other related groups, potential tenderers, as well as general members of the public, advised them to do so. The call for a tender is a requirement under Section 55 of the Local Government Act. We challenge Cessnock City Council’s position, wherein they claim extenuating circumstances as an exception to calling for a tender, where we assert there are no such extenuating circumstances whatsoever. Similarly we challenge Cessnock City Council’s position that there is no viable alternative tenderer to the one which they have arbitrarily chosen. The Land & Environment Court will conduct a hearing on the matter on 7 October 2011. The Court will then announce a date for the trail. We expect that to take place in about 6 to 8 months time. On Behalf of the SoCares Support Committee. Please make all enquires to: [email protected] ****************************** Source: http://www.supportgroup.socares.com.au/press_release.htm

We have actually set up a Dob In A Puppy Farmer campaign at our SoCares Support Group website. If anyone knows of a puppy farmer or back yard breeder, especially in the Hunter Valley & Central Coast regions, by all means email us the details. Please follow this link: http://www.supportgroup.socares.com.au

Hunter groups call for end to puppy farming BY DAMON CRONSHAW 19 Sep, 2011 04:00 AM HUNTER animal welfare groups have called for an end to puppy farming. Welfare groups say thousands of dogs are being unnecessarily euthanised in the region every year. The Society of Companion Animal Rescuers, an umbrella organisation for Hunter animal welfare groups, wants puppy farms and pet shop puppy sales banned. Committee member Jim Sullivan said the number of dogs being euthanised at pounds appalled him. ‘‘We don’t need to breed any more puppies,’’ Mr Sullivan said. ‘‘Only registered and regulated breeders that meet standards should be allowed to operate.’’ Pet shops should only be allowed to sell rejected pets, he said. Mistreatment and cruelty were rife in the industry and illegal puppy farms were widespread. Many dogs suffered psychological and physical problems at puppy farms, including untreated diseases and illnesses, Mr Sullivan said. Mr Sullivan said the O’Farrell government should introduce new regulations and create an independent body to tackle the problem. The government has established a task force to investigate animal breeding practices and puppy farms, which Charlestown MP Andrew Cornwell, a veterinarian, will chair. ‘‘The key aim is to reduce the euthanasia rate of animals in NSW,’’ Mr Cornwell said. ‘‘Breeding large animals in a confined space where they’re not getting adequate socialisation and medical care is unacceptable.’’ A government statement said 150,000 dogs and cats were euthanised in NSW pounds in the past five years, a figure animal welfare activists believe could be much higher. Mr Sullivan said some task force members, including Mr Cornwell, had a conflict of interest. ‘‘The problem with the task force is that it is stacked in favour of people who profit from puppy sales and that includes vets,’’ he said. But Mr Cornwell said the task force was ‘‘a balanced committee’’ with appropriate levels of expertise. Animal welfare groups say more resources are needed to police the industry, with councils often reluctant to deal with the problem. Mr Cornwell said ‘‘all options are on the table’’ for change. He said ‘‘regulation, resources and education’’ were key issues and the problem involved complex social problems. Disadvantaged areas had high pet euthanasia rates, he said. ****************************************** Source: Newcastle Herald If you can leave a comment at the Herald, please feel free to do so

I've bought all my gear from eBay sellers, including a couple from Hong Kong, but I mostly buy my gear from Cameta Cameras in the USA. Good prices & great gear. All insured etc. They are actually a camera store, not just an internet shop, so you know you can trust them. Simiarly there's a couple of others on eBay as well. Above all watch for your purchase price. If it's worth more than $1 000au you'll get slugged for GST & Import Duty.

Cruelty fine for Port dog farm owner BY TIM CONNELL 26 Jul, 2011 04:00 AM A PORT Stephens puppy farm owner pleaded guilty yesterday to 10 cruelty charges relating to dogs with conditions ranging from dental disease to urine-soaked fur. Glen Oak's Caroline Hudson faced Raymond Terrace Local Court on charges arising from RSPCA inspections of her Kindee Kennels operation breeding shih tzus and King Charles spaniels. She accepted charges including aggravated cruelty, failing to provide proper and sufficient food, failing to alleviate pain and four counts of failing to provide veterinary treatment. An RSPCA spokeswoman said inspectors at Kindee Kennels last August found dogs with untreated eye and ear conditions, dental disease, flea burdens and matted, urine-soaked coats. It was deemed cruel to keep one emaciated silky terrier alive, and it was put down. Three shih tzus were found in poor condition after not being fed properly for at least two weeks. One had a mammary tumour. Mrs Hudson was given a two-year good behaviour bond. She was fined $4500, and ordered to pay $79 in costs and prohibited from owning more than two desexed dogs. Mrs Hudson would not comment last night on the outcome of the court case. Source: http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/cruelty-fine-for-port-dog-farm-owner/2237554.aspx Finally!

I use two depending upon venue... either the: Zuiko 12-60mm SWD or the Zuiko 50-200mm SWD. I used to use the Zuiko 18-180 most of the time, but I don't do photos at Kurri pound any more, so its usage has dramatically dropped off...

It'll be even more confusing for you by then because the 7D MkII & the 5D Mk III will be out by then ;)

The first DSLR (as against 35mm SLR) was the E-420. I out grew it in about 3 months & got the E-30 about 2 months later. Had the E-30 for about a year or so but would have upgraded sooner had the E-5 came out sooner. I've had the E-5 for about 7 months now & very happy with it, so no real plans to upgrade - anyways the E-5 is the Olympus flagship model so I can't unless I jump brands to Canon & get a 1Ds MkIII. But then I'd lose those beautiful Zuiko lenses & it just isn't worth it IMHO. So it looks like I'll just have to wait for the E-7 in about 2 or so years time...

Update... Two new entries for camera bodies: The Olympus PEN E-P3 & the Lumix DMC G3...

Update on the Zuiko 50-200mm SWD lens... I've resently had the opportunity to use this lens a lot, on my E-5, & I've got to say, in my experience, this is one outstanding lens. I would dare say it's the best lens Zuiko make, even superior to their 12-60mm SWD, & most likely one of the great lenses any manufacturer has ever produced. Thank you Zuiko as I'll be using this lens almost exclusively at Wyong pound now I've got the opportunity to take photos there.

Written legal option was delivered to council today stressing the need to drop this resolution before council & rethink their plans: either tender or build their own pound. Nevertheless we need everyone who can make it turn up at the Council meeting at 6.30pm to impress upon the Councillors that a large number of people are not happy with this affair. So if you can spare a few hours on Wednesday 15 June please come to the Cessnock Council Chambers (enter via Cumberland St) as your support will be greatly appreciated, not only by myself, but also all the dogs & cats of Kurri pound!

OK the Cessnock Council Agenda has just been published & the issue about the future of Kurri pound is on it. After Council has denied us the right to have a second speaker, after our presentation to council voicing other options & concerns about the contract with the RSPCA based at Rutherford, it has all come down to this meeting at 6.30pm on Wednesday 15 June 2011 at the Cessnock Council Chambers (enter via Cumberland Street). Since the 18 May 2011, Council hasn't even adjusted their report to the Councillors in response to my presentation challenging a lot of what was in it. It is just so arrogent yet typical of the Council's approach to this matter. See this link for their agenda report: http://www.cessnock.nsw.gov.au/resources/file/Agendas/2011/OC_15062011_AGN.pdf Nonetheless these are the facts: There has been no community consultation which is in violation of Section 8 of the Local Government Act. There has been no tender called which is in violation of Section 55 of the Local Government Act. There is a viable & local boarding kennel operator who has challenged council to allow them to tender for the contract. Their quote of $2.2 million for a new pound is grossly overflated where figures around $600 000 seem far more realistic. The RSPCA contract, worth over $2 million, is considered "somewhat high" by an official from the Division of Local Govt. The RSPCA will be ensured an monopoly throughout the Hunter Valley, which is in violation of the Trade Practices Act/Competition and Consumers Act. The RSPCA at Rutherford currently refuses to allow rescue groups access to impounded animals regardless of their status under a Clause 16d. Plus there's so much more stuff, like in the poster above, where I don't know where to start nor end... Please we need you to be at this Council meeting at 6.30pm on Wednesday 15 June 2011 at the Cessnock Council Chambers...