Watchdog! head condemns city's pound conditions

Jessica Maxwell, founder of Watchdog! Photo / File

The chairperson of local animal welfare group Watchdog! has likened the conditions at Hastings Pound to a "canine concentration camp".

Struggling with an outbreak of parvovirus, the facility is taking in as few new dogs as possible and maintaining a stringent disinfectant regime to deter further spread.

"I'm of the view we are doing everything we physically can to minimise the disease and make sure we are not taking dogs into the pound unless it is a last resort - if we cannot prove ownership, or if they have been involved in some kind of serious attack," Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule said.

Due to the incubation period of parvo, which is typically seven to 14 days from exposure to the first signs of disease, it was necessary to continue testing for the rest of the week.

Just yesterday, another puppy was found to have the virus and had to be put to sleep - taking the tally to five.

It's understood an elderly dog, with unknown ownership, was the initial carrier.

Ten-month-old pitbull-cross Stitch, which had been in isolation pending a court case for a charge of rushing, was sent home temporarily to ensure he did not contract the virus.

Watchdog! wants the Animal Control Team to take drastic measures to control the virus and prevent any more deaths.

Watchdog! founder Jessica Maxwell was so concerned about the situation she penned a letter to Mr Yule and other Hastings district councillors, urging them to act.

She referred to a Ministry of Primary Industries report, released to council in January, which stated some team members had no qualifications relevant to animal management, dog husbandry or health.

"We think they will flounder. Their lack of knowledge could see things go from bad to worse, more dogs could die and the viral contamination will linger longer than necessary."

The report also mentioned failure to meet minimum animal welfare standards in five key areas, including Disease Mitigation.

"The simplest way to describe it would be that staff have been operating a canine concentration camp for years," Ms Maxwell said.

To contain, control and eradicate the outbreak, Watchdog! suggested the urgent appointment of a highly-skilled, qualified individual to handle the crisis - ideally a trained veterinarian with specialist knowledge of disease prevention and management.

"They would need to manage the Animal Control staff and give them clear and concise directives in disease mitigation."