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Friday, 26 October, 2012
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TOSSERS HEAD FOR BAYFRONT PAGE 2
Getting lucky: Beth Cole, Faye Mullen, Mel Whyte, Bridie Bond and Sanela Osmanovic backed Maluckyday at Wednesday’s Geelong Cup. For a race day report, turn to page three. Picture: John Conway. 89174
Death threats, family pet killed, legal action
RESEARCHERS’ MAGICAL MATS PAGE 9
GAWS crisis deepens GEELONG Animal Welfare Society is sliding into crisis amid union action, a member backlash and claims a family pet was accidentally killed. A former vice-president has also revealed that anonymous death threats drove members, staff, supporters and vets away from GAWS. Nadine Williams said staff forced out were still suffering anxiety and depression following a hostile Facebook campaign. The new crises include:
● life members challenging the board for sacking them over offences it refuses to specify; ● claims a Geelong family was shattered when its runaway Staffordshire terrier, ‘Sarge’, was wrongly euthanased after an administrative oversight; ● concerns dogs are being given away free after being desexed, cared for and immunised. ● a failure to reinstate a vital after-hours animal ambulance service decommissioned following threats against staff; and ● industrial disputes and the threat of union and legal action.
Ms Williams, one of seven former board and life members facing expulsion, said the previous administration had shortcomings but was moving toward reform when forced from office. Fifteen board members and 13 staff left after the successful campaign to introduce a no-kill policy. Ms Williams said animals were still being euthanased despite the policy. Dog deaths were down about 25 per cent but cat figures had changed little. “They tried to cover up the
killing of Sarge – I tabled the paperwork with the board. The family was devastated,” Ms Williams said. “They had a sick child and were back and forwards to hospital all the time. The dog kept getting out and was in and out of the shelter. “The owners asked staff not to put the animal down but the paperwork wasn’t properly checked.” Ms Williams, former board members and staff received anonymous death threats. No-kill supporters threat-
FORD OWNERS
ened a staff member’s grandchildren, with the worker consequently quitting. The animal ambulance had lapsed as a result of the departure, while Vets told the Independent they withdrew services following the incident. GAWS president Ms Doherty did not respond to the Independent’s call for comment. Last week she told the Independent former board members and staff responsible for mistreatment of animals were “dragged kicking and screaming” into new practices at the shelter.
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PAGE 27
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