Differing accounts about lead-up to dog being taken

Family pet Sarge was killed in error by Gisborne District Council last week. The council is now undertaking an independent review of the matter. Picture supplied

The owners of a dog put down in error by Gisborne District Council have broken their silence, saying they are “beyond devastated”. 

On Friday, family pet Sarge was taken to the pound by a council animal control officer before being killed later that day.

It is understood he was mistaken for another dog that was due to be put down.

The owners found out Sarge’s fate in the evening after being contacted by the council, which has since apologised “unreservedly” for the error.

In a written statement released by a third party, Sarge’s unnamed owners said they were not given an opportunity to speak with anyone before he was killed.

“We were advised of this horrible ‘mistake’ late Friday afternoon, a mere seven hours after he was taken,” they said.

“We are beyond devastated. Sarge was a loved member of our family and community.

“He was our world and now he has gone, and nothing we say or do will bring him back.”

The owners said they were still in shock about what had happened.

There remains some confusion about the lead-up to Sarge’s death.

On Sunday afternoon, a social media post by Gisborne fitness group Hullkfit honoured the tagged and microchipped animal, saying he had been taken from a fenced-in property despite neighbours trying to intervene.

The owners also said Sarge was taken from their property.

But Gisborne District Council says it has confirmation the dog was found by an animal control officer on the road, who tried to return him home.

When nobody could be located at the residence, he was then taken to the pound where the mistake occurred at the hands of a different officer.

The second officer was placed on leave as a result of the death, but has since resigned.

The council is now undertaking an independent inquiry to understand what happened from the moment the dog was picked up.

“We genuinely and deeply regret the distress caused to Sarge’s whānau and we acknowledge the huge outpouring of anger and grief from the community,” council chief executive Nedine Thatcher Swann said in a written statement.

“We have failed the community and need to work hard to regain its confidence in us.

“This should not have happened and we sincerely apologise.”

Ms Thatcher Swann said Sarge’s owners were unable to be contacted after he was found on the street, but a message was left after he was taken to the pound.

What happened after that was under review, but it appeared there had been a “terrible, regrettable mistake and a case of human error”, Ms Thatcher Swann said.

Sarge’s owners say they have asked for time to grieve before talking with the council further.

They wanted to be clear they had not spoken to media or posted anything online before releasing their statement.