Owners who broke dogs out of Toowoomba pound call for change

A Toowoomba couple has been hit with a massive fine for breaking their two border collies out of the council’s after-hours lock-up. Here’s why they say they’d do it all over again.

A Toowoomba couple that resorted to extreme measures to remove their dogs from the pound say they have no regrets, and want to see changes to the council’s after-hours animal management.

The couple was hit with a fine worth more than $1500 for breaking their dogs out of the animal management facility’s pound drop-box, after their 10-month-old border collies were impounded on December 22.

Owner Graeme Butzbach claimed he had “no choice” but to break the dogs out of the one cage, who would have remained in the pound until after Christmas.

“We did it in their best interest,” Mr Butzbach.

“Lilly was on heat... I’ve never seen two dogs fight like these two when they get angry with one another.”

In 2019, the Ipswich Regional Council removed its after-hours drop boxes after the RSPCA found the process to be a distressing experience for pets and animal welfare concerns trumped the need to reduce the number of stray animals.

Graeme and Laureen Butzbach, with their dogs Lilly (front) and Bossy Flossy, would like to see procedural changes at the animal management centre, Wednesday, January 10, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Mr Butzbach said he left a note to inform the council they had taken their dogs home, which included their contact numbers, address, car registrations, and the dogs’ details.

“We weren’t there to do any malicious harm, we were just there to get our dogs or find a solution,” he said.

After several discussions, and home visits from animal management, they received four fines on Wednesday, which totalled $2166 – which included $309 for failing to register each dog without a lawful excuse, and $774 for unlawfully removing the two impounded or seized dogs.

In a statement responding to the incident, councillor Tim McMahon confirmed the incident occurred and said Mr Butzbach’s actions were illegal.

“It is illegal for residents to remove animals from the drop-off facility or the center without assistance from council officers,” Mr McMahon said.

“Overnight CCTV footage shows people accessing the drop-off facility to release the dogs.

“There are numerous options available to the person who received the fine, as explained on the back of the infringement notice, including a payment plan for the payment of fines.”

It comes as the council strongly denied allegations a 10-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier died as a result of a stay at the same facility in the same month.

Missy, a beloved family pet of a Toowoomba family who alleges died following heat exposure.

Missy, a beloved family pet, was picked up by a resident on the evening of Saturday, December 9 after she escaped her home.

According to council records, she was first placed in the after-hours facility at 8pm that night, and removed for a microchip scan the following morning.

Missy’s owners were notified on Sunday morning, and she was picked up the following morning.

A neighbour and friend of Missy’s family said within 24 hours, the dog started to have seizures.

“She was taken to a vet and was told she’d been suffering from heat exhaustion and trauma,” the neighbour said.

“She wasn’t given medication because they determined she needed rest to de-stress her.

“The last (seizure) she had at home, I wasn’t even game to put my hand in her mouth, because she was so wired and agitated.”

After her seizures could not be controlled, Missy was euthanased on December 14.

Councillor Tim McMahon. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Mr McMahon said the vet had not provided any evidence that Missy’s time in the animal management facility contributed to her death.

“Council refutes the allegation that the after-hours drop-off facility caused any harm to the dog in question,” he said.

“Council has not been provided with any evidence from a vet indicating that the dog’s attendance at the AMC contributed to its death days after being released to the owner.

“Nor is there evidence regarding any health conditions the dog may have experienced after being released.”

Mr McMahon said more than 3500 animals had been impounded in the facility over the past 12 months, and there had been no history of issues relating to animal welfare.

“Council appreciates the attachment residents have to their pets and takes all measures to care for animals that are delivered to the centre,” he said.

“Council’s Animal Management Centre staff, most of whom are pet owners, take their responsibility to care for animals in their care seriously and find these types of accusations directed at them very upsetting.”

The council-run Lost Pets and Animal Management Centre at Drayton, Toowoomba, at 393 Anzac Ave, Drayton. Picture: Google Maps.

A petition started by the neighbour, which calls for the council to improve the monitoring of its facilities, has reached more than 1000 signatures.

After the experience, Mr Butzbach said he wanted to work with the council to improve procedures.

“Of course, there should be charges and fines but the animal’s welfare needs to be put first,” he said.

“I’m not saying drop everything and let me go, but rather… I just want to see someone higher up in council to look at this fairly and equitably.

“I want to see what procedures we can implement to make this whole ordeal much better for people.

“At the very least you should be able to get someone on the after-hours number.

“We’re not talking about just anything, these are living things that need to be cared for – someone needs to be responsible.”