Covid 19 coronavirus: NSW council shoots shelter dogs over infection fears

The decision by a regional council in Australia to shoot dead several rescue dogs due to Covid-19 restrictions has sparked international condemnation. File photo / Margarita Kosior, Unsplash

The decision by a regional council in Australia to shoot dead several rescue dogs due to Covid-19 restrictions has sparked international condemnation.

Bourke Shire Council in NSW's northwest killed the pound dogs to stop a shelter in Cobar rescuing them as planned, as it believed the travel wouldn't be permitted under coronavirus restrictions.

Among those euthanised was a dog that had recently given birth to a litter of puppies.

NSW is in total lockdown due to a rapidly spreading outbreak of the Delta strain, but the shooting of the dogs has been condemned by animal rights activists and international celebrities.

Joining a chorus of fury directed at the council was acclaimed British comedian and television star Ricky Gervais, who last night tweeted a link to the story with the remark: "Stupid c****."

The story was also shared by fellow funnyman Tim Dillon, who asked: "What the f*** is going on over there?"

Bourke Shire Council has gone to ground since the dogs' deaths were exposed and a NSW Government investigation has now been launched.

Lisa Ryan, the regional campaign manager for Animal Liberation, told the Sydney Morning Herald she was sickened by the decision.

"We are deeply distressed and completely appalled by this callous dog shooting and we totally reject council's unacceptable justifications that this killing was apparently undertaken as part of a Covid Safe plan," Ryan said.

The shelter in Cobar reportedly had Covid-19 safety measures in place. Its volunteers are said to be deeply distressed by the shooting of the dogs.

In a statement, the Office of Local Government – the authority that oversees local councils – confirmed an investigation was under way.

"The OLG has been informed 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 statement read.

Despite harsh restrictions across the state, the NSW Government has told animal shelters they can continue to operate with Covid-safe plans in place.

Cobar hasn't had any cases of coronavirus during this current outbreak.