PAWS, Hoofs and Claws president Sue Carson criticises the disposal of a dead dog found on the banks of Mica Creek, along with the rest of the Mount Isa community who have seen the photograph on social media.
The dog was found late last week and was found near two piles of rubbish including a pile of wood chips.
While many want to know the identity of the dog’s owner, Mrs Carson’s concern was the cause of death.
“How did the animal die? It looks like quite a young animal.
“It’s quite slender and tall, from the picture. It’s one of the bigger breeds, I couldn’t say what. But it did not look like an old dog. I hope it died of natural causes.”
How did the dog die?...I hope it died of natural causes.
- Sue Carson
The disposal of the dog was brought to the attention of Mount Isa’s online community through a Facebook post made by Jules Walden on Tuesday, who said a family member discovered the dumping.
The post sought the identity of the person who had disposed of the dog, referring to the dumper as a “grot”.
Mrs Carson said she had many people in the community approaching her about the treatment of the animal.
She was upset that it had been thrown away like a piece of rubbish.
There were three appropriate options for the dog’s owner to dispose of their pet properly, she said.
The owner could have buried it in their yard, or they could have had it cremated.
Mrs Carson said these options were preferable to her than the third; which was to take it to the burial trench at the dump. “I can’t bear the thought of it being tossed in the trench,” she said.
Mount Isa mayor Joyce McCulloch said names were found on personal belongings at the illegal dump site where the dog was alleged to have been found. The council’s local laws officers went to the illegal dump site to investigate but when they arrived the dog was missing.
Council received an anonymous call to inform that dog was buried at an unknown site, the mayor said.
“Not only was this animal shown a total lack of respect, it was dumped alongside the river, which puts the city’s fresh water supply at risk of contamination,” she said.
The dumping will be investigated by the council’s Environmental Health Department.
Normally this investigation will include a letter sent to alleged dumpers by letter, and it could lead to fines.
It was a vulnerable time of the year for pets when families leave for holidays, Mrs Carson said.
Instead of paying for kennels some owners put their animals in the pound or let them go in the street.
On Tuesday Mrs Carson visited the pound. “There are just so many animals in there. Almost every cage was full.
“We’re attempting to get as many out as always...they all look like beautiful dogs. I hate we can’t get them all out...over holidays we have a lot of foster carers away, which is a bit harder.”