PETITION: WHO’S PULLING THE STRINGS? WHY IS TRANSPARENCY & WELFARE CONSIDERATION DENIED?

 

👉  By Signing this petition you can help reunite Ziggy with her mum & push for better welfare & transparency measures.

Ziggy Stardust - an 18-month-old, gentle, well-known Great Dane — was pulled from a loving & responsible home on 4 September & is locked away indefinitely without comfort items, visitation, or transparent welfare oversight. Her owner, neighbours, and local community - who know and love her are left stunned, denied even the reassurance that she is safe and cared for.

This isn’t just one family’s heartbreak: it’s a whole community being cut off from transparency and compassion in how their council handles companion animals.

This is where she's being kept:

 

 

 

No dog should live here WITHOUT transparency.

👉  Please help her & others like her: sign and share this petition.

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ZIGGY ISN’T JUST A DOG. SHE’S PART OF THE COMMUNITY.

She’s the gentle Great Dane known at the gym, the café, and on her daily walks. She’s seen at training, plays happily with other dogs, and is loved by neighbours, local families and family children.

Here’s what people who actually know Ziggy say:

💬 “Ziggy has had playdates with my dog. She’s gentle, well-socialised, and loves to play. I’ve never seen aggression.” — neighbour

💬 “Ziggy regularly attends our fitness studio with her owner and has consistently demonstrated calm, friendly, and well-mannered behaviour. She is affectionate with our members, their children, and other dogs. Ziggy has never shown aggression or threat to public safety — she is well loved by our community.” — Gym Manager

 

THIS IS A DELIBERATE & SYSTEMIC PLAYBOOK USED BY COUNCILS

 

 

-> Legal expert

This system does not contain procedural fairness. It does not consider welfare. It is a deliberate and malicious manipulation of what the Act is for.

It is a systemic playbook that denies welfare and any real fairness.

 

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LOCKED UP & ALONE

Right now, Ziggy is locked away with no timelines for release (months to years) at The 'Lost' Dogs’ Home  - but she isn't lost.

Her owner isn’t allowed to see her. No blanket. No toys. No visits. No welfare checks. Just secrecy on "policy" & refusal.

This is not an owner abuse case (which would certainly be a good reason for denial). This is also not a roaming or killing case - Ziggy was not running around off-lead in the streets or chasing babies or hurting mothers and children. She was, instead, well trained, affectionate with people & her little nieces & slept in her owner's (luckily!) king-size bed.

The lack of transparency & welfare consideration here for Ziggy isn't just unnecessary and inhumane... It's heartbreaking. As are the too-broad laws surrounding her.

 

 

 

 

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THE CONTRADICTIONS NO ONE WILL EXPLAIN

Across September, Council and the Lost Dogs’ Home (LDH)  gave shifting, contradictory accounts: first, each blamed the other for blocking visits and comforts, then denied any policy existed, and finally refused to provide written justification, hiding behind claims of “operational reasons” and “private business.”  No policy has been provided.

Who is pulling the strings here? Council says LDH. LDH says Council.

🎙️ Meanwhile, Ziggy suffers - unseen, unheard, and alone.

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A HISTORY OF SECRECY & WELFARE ISSUES AT 'LOST' DOGS HOME
The Lost Dogs’ Home (LDH) has a long record of controversy and secrecy when it comes to welfare oversight. This is not new. 

Read here -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BpHwa6hca/ 

 

 

 

 

• 2015 – Media reports revealed the Victorian Government launched an investigation into LDH’s North Melbourne shelter following claims of poor management and a lack of accountability (Daily Mail​, ABC News).
• 2018 – An ABC investigation uncovered a “toxic culture” at LDH, with widespread staff resignations tied to welfare concerns (ABC News).
• 2019 - Further ABC News reporting on resignations linked to scandals, including the “Dallas the cat” case (ABC News)
• 2019 - Mornington Peninsula News reported on a charity clash with LDH, where a rescue group fundraised for a dog’s care while LDH denied them all access, taking their money but refusing any information or contact (Mornington Peninsula News).
• 2025 – Most recently, The Age described how LDH once again became the centre of controversy during a heated council debate, sparking a wave of public backlash and emotional community campaigns (The Age​, Herald News).
• 2025 - The Lost Dogs Home killed 12-week-old puppies for "failing" a behaviour test (Facebook)

Now in 2025, the same pattern repeats with Ziggy. LDH’s refusal of transparency contradicts not only community expectations, but also Council’s own transparency and DAMP governance policies.

🪧 These cases show a disturbing trend: when transparency is most needed, secrecy prevails.

Yet 16 councils continue to partner with or award their pound services to LDH - with only annual reporting required.

Meanwhile LDH advertises itself as a charity “We do not receive government funding and rely on the generosity of our donors…” (report), using clever accounting to back the claim.

🎙️ Transparency is not an inconvenience - it is the cornerstone of public confidence in government and organisations. 

When LDH and Council hide behind secrecy, they do more than harm animals and their families. They erode the public trust that allows them to govern.

 

 

 

 

FAILURE OF REPRESENTATION
Local Greens-endorsed Councillor Samantha Meredith was also asked to advocate for transparency, but responded: “As a Councillor, I must maintain impartiality.” Elected officials are chosen to represent the community and uphold the democratic process - not to refrain from it.

🎙️ Impartiality is just complicity by another name.

 

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IT'S TIME TO ACT
All dogs deserve welfare oversight and care, no matter what.

This indefinite detention and inhumane lack of compassion for a young dog are cruel and disturbing. 

This is a loved family dog. Imagine the welfare of dogs that have no one to speak for them or whose owners may not have the capacity or resources to stand up.

🎙️ Secrecy only breeds tragedy.

 

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WHAT WE’RE ASKING
That The Lost Dogs’ Home and Maribyrnong Council:

Allow visitation and comforts, and independent welfare oversight. Publish clear policies instead of hiding behind finger-pointing.

Ensure decisions are fair, proportional and transparent — not secret and contradictory.

 

👉 Please sign and share this petition.

 

This isn’t just about Ziggy. It’s about every dog & animal that could be locked away in silence because of bureaucratic secrecy.

Help us demand answers, demand compassion, and demand transparency.

🎙️ Animals can't tell us how they feel. Thank you for helping give Ziggy - and all dogs like her - a voice. 

 

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❤️ COULD YOU HELP US A LITTLE MORE? (no money asks!)

👉 Please leave a comment of support - this helps us portray community views on the issue. 🙏

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👉 Learn more about the situation in this medium blog 

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THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING ME