Central Coast Animal Care Facility: Council, RSPCA investigated pound over horrific death of Staffy, pups

A local council pound has been investigated after a dog and her newborn puppies died in a cage in a series of horrific events. SEE WHY REPRESENTATIVES WANT POLICE TO INVESTIGATE.

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A mother Staffordshire Terrier and her newly-born puppies surrendered to a local animal facility ended up dying in a cage after the mother pulled out stitches from a caesarean section — bleeding out and suffering from shock — before suffocating several of her pups to death.

Animal Justice Party MLC Mark Pearson questioned the NSW Government over the horrifying incident, which occurred at a Central Coast Council pound in May.

It is understood the animal care facility didn’t provide the recovering dog with an Elizabethan Collar or snood to prevent her from pulling out her abdominal stitches.

Dogs at the Central Coast Animal Care Facility – pic Sue Graham

The Upper House heard that during the night, while the mother and pups weren’t being monitored, the female dog pulled out her stitches and died from blood loss and shock.

“Her dead body crushed and suffocated several of her puppies,” Mr Pearson told the Upper House.

Complaints received from the public resulted in an RSPCA and council investigation into the Central Coast Animal Care Facility on Pateman Road, Erina.

The centre is overseen by Central Coast Council, however, is managed by a contractor with a “no kill rescue” policy.

According to its Facebook page, the contractor says it is dedicated to saving and rehoming animals: “we strive to make sure all dogs have a second chance at a better life”.

Animal Justice Party MLC Mark Pearson and his dog Molly.

However, Mr Pearson said he “couldn’t see the logic” in decisions made around care for the mother and her pups — calling for NSW Police to investigate the incident after “lukewarm” responses were issued by the NSW RSPCA and Central Coast Council.

“We were notified of this incident by Central Coast residents,” Mr Pearson told the Express Advocate. “In this case, the chain of responsibility should go right up the ranks of Central Coast Council, because council gave the manager of the pound the authority to care for these animals.”

Central Coast Animal Care Facility Manager Dee Walton

A Central Coast Council spokeswoman did not answer questions put to them by the Express Advocate regarding the employment of management at the Erina facility, or whether staff were members of the council’s Companion Animal Advisory Committee.

“Council has fully investigated the unfortunate incident which included inspections by the RSPCA,” the spokeswoman said. “The outcome of the investigation concluded that all appropriate actions were undertaken, and no further action was warranted.”

Council also refused to answer questions around the standard veterinary practices and systems in place to ensure appropriate care of animals is provided.

Animal Liberation regional campaign co-ordinator Lisa Ryan said the organisation was “concerned that this facility appears to be taking in large numbers of animals from other council pounds”.

“Central Coast Animal Care Facility is ... under a tender arrangement with the Central Coast Council, formally Gosford Council to manage companion animal impounding services.” Ms Ryan said.

“This tragic situation would likely have been avoided by having the mother and pups in a 24/7 monitored environment either at a 24-hour vet clinic or a an experienced foster home with a purpose built heated whelping box with in-built roll bars to allow vulnerable pups to move away and not be crushed or suffocated.”

The NSW RSPCA, Central Coast Animal Care Facility, and its manager Dee Walton, were contacted for comment.