- If Councils give inaccurate responses/refuse to answer, who can be contacted to carry out a further investigation?

- Who investigates Council pounds?

“The State Government has confirmed it's investigating the Mildura pound, over allegations of major non-compliance” - https://www.facebook.com/ABCMilduraSwanHill/photos/a.408068875205.365421.329408210205/10161318850965206/?type=3&theater

Is this the first time the State Government has investigated a pound? Are there investigative bodies other than the RSPCA/AWL?

- Who monitors Council pounds?

The impression we get from our correspondence with the DPI and the OLG is that Council pounds are self-monitoring. We think self-monitoring is not a reliable way to monitor, as has been shown in other industries such as live export, greyhound racing, etc.

- Who checks that Councils are complying with legislative requirements? How are these requirements enforced?

See our petition update for examples of councils not complying - https://www.change.org/p/wagga-wagga-city-council-saviour-s-petition-improve-animal-welfare-at-wagga-wagga-pound-g-r-a-s/u/19903547

- What qualifications do pound staff require?

We would like to see every staff member employed in pounds to have formal animal qualifications.

We found this article disturbing. “West Coast Council animal control officer convicted of animal cruelty” - http://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/5208555/dog-cruelty-man-in-charge/

We find many Council pound statistics disheartening. E.g. Leeton Pound - according to the OLG Pound Data Report in 2012/13, 69 cats came in and 69 are euthanised, in 2013/14, 96 cats came in and 95 are euthanised, in 2015/16, 169 cats came in and 153 are euthanised because they are feral/infant or unsuitable for re-homing. What formal animal qualifications do staff in pounds have to make these decisions?

- Do Council pounds operate with policies and procedures?

Are Councils required to have a policies and procedures manual so that they operate according to legislation? If there are no policies and procedures, how does Council management monitor that pound staff are following legislation and treating animals appropriately?

- What quality assurance protocols are there in place at pounds that guarantee animals are appropriately cared for?

E.g. how can Councils prove that animals are fed and watered, health checked, given bedding, on a daily basis? Is there a checklist of daily tasks signed off each day by staff in all pounds?

- How do we know that record keeping is carried out in Council pounds correctly? Who checks that the figures sent to the OLG are accurate?

When we inquired with OLG they told us that “The responsibility for the accuracy of information provided in the Companion Animals Register is entirely with the councils. OLG’s prime responsibility is to consolidate the data in the format that is published on website and any anomalies should be discussed with councils”.

On OLG’s Pound Data report 2014/15, Parkes Council has 106 cats entered, and 106 were euthanised due to not being able to be rehomed. Not one feral cat, not one cat returned to its owner, not one sick animal, etc? It was the same for the two previous financial years. We find this extraordinary. On the OLG Pound Data Report, it says “No Report” from some Councils – we find this unacceptable as all councils are required to submit a report.

Now that councils are listed individually on the Pound Data Report, members of the public can more easily see whether their council is trying to rehome animals.

- Who is the RSPCA answerable to?

RSPCA receives government funding, yet it appears it cannot be investigated by the Ombudsman or the DPI. How can you get information from the RSPCA if GIPA (Government Information Public Access Act) does not apply to the RSPCA?

-  How do we as members of the community know that RSPCA investigates complaints in depth?

We were upset at Council’s response after RSPCA’s initial investigation into our complaints regarding Wagga Pound and the Saviour kitten incident – none of us were interviewed or asked for information/witness statements. We contacted Council after receiving Council’s initial response. Council called for a further RSPCA investigation. When we asked Council for a copy of this investigation report, Council informed us that they had never received a written report from the RSPCA, despite Council’s numerous requests. If there is no written report by the RSPCA, how do we know a thorough investigation has been carried out, what conclusions were reached and what recommendations were made?

- Who can we rely on if we think the RSPCA doesn’t investigate properly?

The RSPCA initially came to the conclusion that a volunteer had placed the kitten Saviour in the freezer (this information is incorrect – a ranger placed Saviour in the freezer) - where did this incorrect information come from?

We think there should be an independent government body monitoring and investigating pounds, advocating for stronger animal legislation and where GIPA applies.

There have been many issues at pounds reported in the media (Please see our update regarding this: “Pound Reform needed” https://www.change.org/p/6694070/u/22498584 ). We think there is a need for pound reform to ensure all pounds operate and are monitored appropriately.

If you would like to see pound reform, please forward this to your state and federal member, to the Office of Local Government (olg@olg.nsw.gov.au) and to the Department of Primary Industries (animal.welfare@dpi.nsw.gov.au).