City of Stonnington councillors vote to keep Save-A-Dog Scheme

Tensions have flared at a Stonnington council meeting over the future of a “no kill” animal shelter as hundreds of people packed the Malvern Town Hall to share their views.

An inner city council has sensationally voted against a proposal to dump a beloved animal welfare group during a heated council meeting on Monday night.

City of Stonnington councillors voted five to four in favour of extending the Save-A-Dog-Scheme as the animal management service provider until June next year, while a taskforce will evaluate the effectiveness of the organisation.

The decision comes after the Herald Sun reported residents were angry and frustrated with the council, who had shut them out of the decision making process.

More than 100 passionate residents turned out to Malvern Town Hall as the councillors cast their votes last night, with the crowd – majority in support of SADS – overflowing into a second viewing room.

The Save-A-Dog-Scheme is a non-for-profit animal welfare group that has been running the pound for the Stonnington Council for decades. Picture: Tim Carrafa

After an hour of deliberation, the council ultimately turned down a proposal to tender The Lost Dogs’ Home, which received rapturous applause from the audience.

Prior to the decision, councillors engaged in a lengthy debate, with some members shedding tears and others calling out targeted attempts to paint them as “pet killers”.

South Yarra ward councillor Kate Hely was on the verge of breaking down as she delivered a touching statement about the impact pets had on the lives of families.

“Many of us in this room and in our community have known that unbearable moment when we look into the trusted eyes of a beloved pet as they face their end … we’ve seen their silent plea, their love … as we have had to make that really hard choice,” Ms Hely said.

“Our community, every heartfelt email we’ve got is telling us in one voice that sacred, sorrowful moment must only ever come when all hope is exhausted.”

She said councillors had been flooded by an “outpouring of raw emotion” demanding their animals be treated as sentient beings rather than just numbers.

In rebuttal, a fired-up Steve Stefanopoulos OAM opened by affirming all his fellow councillors were pet owners who cared about animals.

“We’re all animal lovers and anyone who says anything other than that is wrong and I dare to come and say it to my face,” Mr Stefanopoulos said.

Mr Stefanopoulos was jeered by the crowd after saying euthanising animals was “traumatic” but necessary in some cases.

“I’m sorry, actually I’m not sorry to say this, humans are at the top of the food chain and we … need to be responsible for us,” he said.

He also called out some in the community who had attempted to paint the council as ill-intentioned and heartless, referencing posters erected at parks around Stonnington.

Posters erected around Stonnington accused the council of ‘planning to kill pets’.

Councillor Steve Stefanopoulos shot back at claims councillors were ‘animal killers’

“This relentless campaign of accusing council and councillors of killing pets is outrageous, hurtful, unfair and false and I will not accept that accusation,” he said.

In response, one man in the crowd stood up and shouted: “boo, you’re talking rubbish”.

Another man was heard saying: “we know who’s a rotten apple … vote him out”.

SADS founder Pam Weaver OAM said she was “grateful” for the overwhelming support.

“I was incredibly proud of the community for taking a stand that I think was a compassionate one,” Ms Weaver said.

“I was so gratified to see how many people believe in us, stand up for us.”

SADS founder Pam Weaver OAM. Picture: Tim Carrafa

She said she was especially grateful for Stonnington mayor Melina Sehr and the councillors who spoke up for SADS and celebrated their work over 40-years in the industry.

On Tuesday Mayor Melina Sehr told the Herald Sun council “received a mix of views” following the meeting, with some residents “thrilled and relieved with the decision”.

“The attendance reflected a highly motivated group of individuals with strong views on animal welfare, which Council respects,” she said.

“Council remains committed to transparent communication and respectful engagement with all community members throughout the transition period and beyond.”

Ms Sehr said the contract with SADS had been extended until June next year, where The Lost Dogs’ Home will be able to take part in the tender process again.

Following the council decision, a Lost Dogs’ Home spokeswoman said: “We were disappointed not to be awarded the City of Stonnington Tender for the Provision of Animal Management and Related Services last night, particularly after being invited to tender and following the correct tender process as outlined by Council at the outset of the process.”

She said the organisation was “disheartened” by the circulation of misinformation from some members in the community, adding staff and volunteers had been left deeply hurt.