Jack says protesters' pound views unfounded

Sunday's protest spokeswoman Amanda Hadfield says the group is calling for an independent review into Napier City Council's dog pound. PHOTO/WARREN BUCKLAND

Napier dog owners were greeted with a protest as they drove to the Bark Island event in
Park Island yesterday,with more than a dozen protesters waving placards about Napier City Council's handling of its dog pound and staff.

Last month animal advocate group Watchdog! made claims about pound conditions and a letter from four employees written in May expressing concerns for animal welfare was made public.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) announced it would investigate the pound.

Council animal-control officer Wayne Butcher claims he resigned after measures were taken to stop him participating in the MPI investigation. Protest organiser Amanda Hadfield said Mr Butcher received unfair treatment from the council.

"I am concerned what is going on in the pound with concern of the animals' wellbeing," she said.

She claimed it appeared written concerns in May from four pound staff over the treatment of dogs were not fully addressed.

"I personally feel there has been no transparent addressing of those complaints," she said.

"I think we are being very much kept in the dark and actually don't know what is going on."

"I know Wayne Butcher is well respected in the community and what a fantastic dog-control officer he was and the great work he did in the community.

"He is a really fantastic, helpful guy who has an approach of compassion instead of enforcement."

She called for an independent review of the matter.

Council chief executive Wayne Jack said the MPI investigation was independent and the people protesting were "completely unfounded in their views".

He said the council was fully co-operating with the MPI investigation "and implementing a number of changes".

Mr Jack said it was "completely untrue" Mr Butcher received unfair treatment and said he chose to resign before a disciplinary investigation started.