The Shar Peis were living at Wilks Park. Photos: Supplied.
A Wagga housing advocate has called for Wagga City Council general manager Peter Thompson to resign after four dogs returned to a homeless man living at Wilks Park were found dead this week.
The dogs, believed to be Shar Peis, were collected from the park after their deaths, with the council confirming the animals had been found dead.
The deaths have prompted questions over why the dogs were returned to their owner after spending 11 days in council care at the Glenfield Road Animal Shelter.
Tim Verhoef, Chris Roche, Leigh Swansborough and Vickie Burkinshaw held a press conference on Tuesday (18 August), criticising the decision to return the dogs to the man.
Mr Roche told the media the dogs had been returned to someone he described as a “known animal hoarder”.
“Once again, the council and the State Government were being reactive, not proactive,” he said.
Mr Verhoef described the decision as “cruelty and incompetence”, and said the man had previously owned as many as 21 dogs.
“We tried to advocate for him, but no services will help him,” he said.
Mr Verhoef also questioned how the council could have returned the dogs given what advocates say they knew about the man’s circumstances.
“To release the dogs to someone who is a known animal hoarder – how can you give that order?”
He called for Mr Thompson to resign.
The advocates also said the situation highlighted broader failures in support for people experiencing homelessness and living with animals.
Ms Burkinshaw called for a more compassionate approach from the council.
“We are picking on the most vulnerable people in our community and acting with cruelty rather than supporting them in their transition to a pathway home,” she said.
Tim Verhoef speaking at the press conference.
Region asked the council to explain the circumstances surrounding the dogs’ death and the reasons they were returned to Wilks Park.
“The owner, who is living in a homelessness encampment at the site, owns as many as 15 dogs and has been approached on many occasions by council and agencies, including the RSPCA,” a spokesperson said.
“Council and the emergency task force have expressed constant concern about the number of dogs in this person’s care, their health and their living conditions, and has endeavoured to find solutions, all of which have been opposed by the owner.
“In recent weeks, four of the dogs were discovered roaming and unattended. They were picked up and taken to the animal shelter in accordance with ordinary practice.
“The dogs remained in care at the shelter for 11 days, where a qualified veterinarian visits the animal shelter every weekday to check on animal health.
“When the four dogs were seized, the owner was transported to the animal shelter by a community member, where he demanded the return of his dogs. They were not returned on this day because a fee needed to be paid for their return.
“The owner attended council workplaces each day over three days with escalating threats and abuse towards staff, demanding the return of the dogs. Upon the owner paying the fees, his dogs were returned to him as he was lawfully entitled to their return.”
The cause of the four dogs’ death has not been publicly detailed by the council.
The council has now taken the remaining dogs into its care at the Glenfield Road Animal Shelter.
The shelter is the council’s designated facility for lost and stray animals.
The advocates say the deaths should prompt a broader examination of how the council and government agencies respond to vulnerable people living with animals.
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