Townsville Foster and Rehoming Animals: Charity appalled by abuse of dog

The owner of a charity that fosters and rehomes mistreated animals says she has been left sickened by a horrific case of the alleged physical abuse of a sheepdog.

A generic file photo of a dog. Angela Atkinson founded Townsville Foster and Rehoming Animals (TFRA) to save homeless and unwanted animals in 2011. Picture: Supplied

The owner of a North Queensland charity that fosters and rehomes mistreated animals says she has been left sickened by a horrific case of the alleged physical abuse of an adorable pure-breed sheepdog.

Angela Atkinson, the director and founder of Townsville Foster and Rehoming Animals, said it was one of the worst cases of abuse she had encountered in 14 years and that the gross mistreatment of animals in North Queensland was only “getting worse”.

She said in the latest foul case, she had been forced to pay the dog’s former owners to save him after she had received multiple complaints about the dog being locked in a small space and abused and “never allowed to walk” since late last year.

“Two-hundred dollars we had to give them, but you know what, best $200 we’ve ever spent, there’s no hesitation in my saying that, I would do it again, again and again.”

Ms Atkinson said the veterinary surgeon had confirmed the dog had been assaulted.

“He walks with his back and his tail in because he’s scared and when I put him on a lead and a collar, he freaks out because someone has physically tied him down.”

Queensland Police Service has been contacted for comment.

In happier times. Angela Atkinson, founder and director of Townsville Foster and Rehoming Animals. Picture: Supplied

Ms Atkinson, who purchased acreage on the rural outskirts of the city to run her charity, said the dog was thriving in his new environment in which he as “free to run around”.

“Every morning he sits and the gate and knows that I am coming and every day I cook for him, I cook him rice and pasta, he’s getting mince and tuna and fish and chicken, this is human food, he’s not getting dog food,” she said.

“Just to see his joy every morning, run out of that pen and feel just freedom.”

Ms Atkinson said that in addition to the charity’s rescue work, it also offered free desexing services and animal food to people who were struggling financially.

She said the abuse of animals was only getting worse.

“With people the way they are, kids are being taken off humans and the humans that are doing stuff to kids and doing it to their dogs,” she said.

“There’s a huge domestic-violence issue in Townsville, huge, and we are finding that because women are leaving or fleeing situations, the animals are now left behind and this is what is happening to the animals … it’s just f---ing disturbing.”

James Cook University PhD candidate Jasmine Montgomery said that speaking generally animal-based coercive control was significant throughout Australia.

“This ends up in long-term trauma for victim survivors, they do have to delay leaving or often return, they will take that risk,” she said.

“Quite often, perpetrators will use that animal as a tool … to control victim survivors’ behaviours.”

Ms Montgomery, who is currently researching the issue, said this was used against not only women but also children “who are lured back to check on the pet”.

She said new pets were also employed against children.

“If a perpetrator purchases a new pet after leaving a relationship that’s also a form of trying to lure children back, or victim survivors.”

Ms Atkinson, who cannot publically reveal the exact location of her organisation due to domestic violence concerns and potential threats to her life, said it operated from Cardwell to Bowen and out to Hughenden.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Queensland (RSPCA Qld) has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as Townsville Foster and Rehoming Animals: Charity appalled by abuse of dog