Mount Gambier Council’s dog pound shed causes outrage over poor conditions

Police have been called to check on a distressed dog at Mount Gambier Council’s dog pound, over growing fears its facilities may endanger lost pets.

Police have been called to check on dogs at Mount Gambier’s council-run shelter amid fears of impounded animals overheating

Angry locals say the tin shed and single outdoor cage is like something you’d buy from “Cheap As Chips” and is insufficient for the city’s dog pound.

The council’s contract with South-East Animal Welfare League to operate a dog pound expired in June last year, with SEAWL saying the decision “was made in private”.

Patrols were called to the pound about 4pm on Monday over concerns for a dog held in the pound as the temperature hit the mid-twenties.

The Mount Gambier Council’s dog pound, which has an asphalt floor. Picture: Supplied

In a video captured by the caller outside the pound, the dog can be heard barking in a distressed manner from inside the shed the council uses to impound dogs for up to 72 hours.

Debbie, who requested her last name not be published, recorded the video and said she also heard the dog scratching at the shed walls.

Debbie has been pushing for Mount Gambier City Council to improve its animal shelter and ensure wellbeing of any impounded dogs.

“What they’ve provided at the moment is just not sufficient,” Debbie said. “I’d be appalled if I was a pet owner and arrived to find my lost dog in those conditions.”

The tin shed – approved to hold up to four dogs at a time – along with an additional outdoor cage have a cement and an asphalt floor respectively.

“The cage is like something you’d get from Cheap as Chips,” said Debbie. “They’re basically kept in a garden shed.”

Debbie has offered to buy flooring to line the cage to keep impounded dogs off the asphalt and a small paddling pool so they can cool off on hot days.

The cage and shed currently used by Mount Gambier Council to house impounded dogs. Picture: Supplied

“I’m more than happy to go purchase some lining and a pool myself but I just haven’t heard back yet,” Debbie said.

“When I first brought it up with the dog catcher he told me that it was a good idea and he’d look into it.”

Debbie said she’d been told the council was looking into installing a sprinkler system in the shed.

“They’re lucky we haven’t had a super hot day this summer yet, but even on days where the temperature is in the 20s, asphalt and the inside of sheds get hot.”

The Mount Gambier Council told The Advertiser “a few residents contacted council (yesterday) worried that a dog was in distress due to heat in council’s kennel”.

“During warmer days we have been visiting the temporary kennel frequently to ensure dogs have adequate access to food and fresh water. We also monitor the temperature inside the kennel and if required, hose down the floor, and the dog and enable outside access within a separate enclosure.”

Ian Hanson from the Mount Gambier & District Residents and Ratepayers Association called the current pound “just outrageous”.

“It’s a garden shed – it’s like a sauna,” he said.

The Mount Gambier dog shelter, which is a cage and shed. Picture: Supplied

Up until last year, the Mount Gambier Council had a funding agreement with SEAWL, a local not-for-profit organisation, which impounded dogs and held them at its facilities.

The agreement expired on June 30, 2023, with the council saying SEAWL had declined the offer of a eight-month contract extension.

SEAWL said on its Facebook page the decision to not renew the existing agreement “was made in private, behind closed doors without public consultation and with no invite to SEAWL”.

Since then, impounded dogs have been handled by the council.

The council said its facilities were “constructed in accordance the Dog and Cat Management Board detention facility guidelines”.

“While we appreciate suggestions to consider other materials that may enhance the comfort of dogs in care, floors must be constructed of impervious materials that are free of cracks or small gaps that potentially harbour infectious bacteria. Grassed areas do not meet these requirements as council pounds may receive animals that are not vaccinated or may be carrying infection or disease and there needs to be effective housing and hygiene protocols in place to prevent the spread of disease to other dogs held in the facility.”

Any dogs captured wandering are held at the council’s kennel facilities for up to 72 hours while attempts are made to locate their owner.

The council’s website said “the City of Mount Gambier is currently exploring various options for rehoming services” for dogs who are not reunited with their owner during the 72-hour period.

“The current list of options includes volunteer-run animal rescue organisations that utilise foster carers to care for the animals until they are ready for adoption, as well as other local councils that have established rehoming programs.”