Since going to media in April 2016 – (see link - https://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/cats-found-in-freezer-at-wagga-wagga-city-council-animal-shelter-20160331-gnuqdn.html ), we have spent time trying to find the truth. 1. Council’s Responses: Council has given us inconsistent explanations in regards to Saviour. According to Council, the following occurred to Saviour: - “knocked out accidentally” - “The cat continued to bite the Ranger, who held the cat by the scruff of its neck… in doing so, the cat became motionless… As it was left in the cage and potentially visible to the public, the Ranger removed the cat from the cage and placed it in the deceased animal storage freezer.” - “In [their] efforts to avoid further injury to [themselves] [they] flung the cat in an effort to release the bite. As a result the cat did impact with the rear of the cat cage. The cat remained in this position for some time and visitors made comment on a deceased cat on display. A decision was made to remove the cat from the cage and place it in the freezer.” 2. Inaccurate Information: - In May 2016 a supporter wrote to the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) regarding the issues at GRAS. The supporter forwarded to us the DPI’s response, which was as follows: “I refer to your email of 24th May 2016… RSPCA NSW has investigated complaints about Wagga Wagga Pound. In relation to the cat being placed in the freezer, RSPCA has advised that this was a mistake made unintentionally by a volunteer while a cat was unconscious due to a fall… the volunteer was extremely distraught at their mistake.” - In October 2016, under GIPA we accessed an email that was sent in April 2016 from the DPI to the OLG (Office of Local Government). This email again stated that a volunteer was responsible: “Just spoke to [RSPCA], they investigated and are dealing with this case. Apparently a cat freaked out when a staffer entered with a dog, the cat attacked a staffer, and in the panic to get the cat off, the cat was flung, and it subsequently became unconscious. The staffer went to get medical assistance. Meanwhile, a volunteer entered and thought it was dead. So they put it in the freezer… the volunteer was extremely distraught at their mistake.” A volunteer DID NOT place Saviour in the freezer. We emailed the DPI regarding their statement. The DPI sought clarification from the RSPCA, and the statement was corrected (a Council ranger had placed the kitten in the freezer). The DPI only clarified this with the supporter after we had contacted the DPI and the Ombudsman. 3. Investigation: RSPCA investigated complaints about Wagga Wagga Pound and the incident of Saviour being placed alive in the freezer. We were so upset at Council’s response after the initial RSPCA investigation that Council arranged for a further investigation by the RSPCA. When we asked Council for a copy of the RSPCA’s investigation report, Council informed us they had never received a written report from the RSPCA, despite Council’s numerous requests. 4. Our correspondence: We contacted the OLG (Office of Local Government), the DPI (Department of Primary Industries), the Ombudsman and the RSPCA about our concerns. We are disappointed in their replies: - OLG stated “I regret that I am unable to assist you with this matter. Animal Welfare legislation is administered by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI)… the Office of Local Government do not have the power to intervene in the day-to-day operations of individual councils. “ - The DPI stated “Although the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is responsible for administering POCTA [Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act], officers of NSW DPI do not have powers of enforcement…” - The Ombudsman stated “Our office, however, has no legal authority to investigate the conduct of the RSPCA as it is not a NSW Government agency.” - We have written to the RSPCA three times and have never received a reply. 5. Accountability: It is disgraceful that Saviour was put alive in the freezer, that there are conflicting statements and that many questions remain unanswered. The past needs to be properly addressed. Our earlier questions to Council (e.g. Why wasn’t Saviour taken to the vet? Why was he presumed dead – why weren’t vital signs checked? Why wasn’t he in a cat carrier? etc.) have never been answered. Councils have a duty of care towards the animals in their pounds. Council pounds should be operating according to legislation and the NSW Code of Practice. We think they should be monitored by an independent government body and that pound reform is needed. 6. Unanswered questions: - Why are Council’s explanations inconsistent? - If the RSPCA has “investigated complaints about Wagga Wagga Pound”, why did they initially advise the DPI that a volunteer placed Saviour in the freezer? - Where did the RSPCA and the DPI get the information that a volunteer had placed the cat (Saviour) in the freezer? - Where did the RSPCA and the DPI get the information that the cat was unconscious due to a fall? - Where did the RSPCA and the DPI get the information that a volunteer was distraught at their mistake? - If the RSPCA is an official investigative body, where did they get this detail from? - How did the RSPCA come to the conclusion that a volunteer had placed Saviour in the freezer when this information is incorrect - did they discuss this with the volunteer? - In the initial investigation, why was there no witness statement requested from the volunteer who found Saviour by the RSPCA? - Why is there no written report from the RSPCA held by Council? - Who monitors Council pounds? - As rate payers, how do we know Council pounds are operating properly, that animals are appropriately cared for and that issues are investigated thoroughly? - If the RSPCA does not reply to your concerns, where do you turn? If you would like an explanation regarding the unanswered questions and the inaccurate/inconsistent statements in regards to the Saviour incident, please respectfully contact the following: - Councillors: councillors@wagga.nsw.gov.au - Council: council@wagga.nsw.gov.au - DPI: animal.welfare@dpi.nsw.gov.au - RSPCA: https://www.rspcansw.org.au/contact-us/send-an-enquiry/ Please note this does not apply to current staff working at GRAS. EDIT 05/06/18: The animals at GRAS are being well cared for by current staff and they are doing a great job in keeping animals for longer periods, giving them a better chance at adoption/rescue. Our concern is that the incidents that occurred at GRAS have never been properly investigated. There should not be so many unanswered questions. Why are there conflicting statements by Council? We think Council management is accountable for what occurred at GRAS for so many years and someone should be held to account.