SPCA digs in - and so does Tim

The SPCA has threatened to cut ties with the Invercargill City Council unless it changes its dog control policy and apologises for telling its volunteers to "harden up".

Royal New Zealand SPCA national chief executive Robyn Kippenberger said she was unimpressed with Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt's offer of a conditional apology last month.

I'm sooo unimpressed with Shadbolt. I'm sure there will be someone who'll stand up to him in the next election. This guy is growing too much ego in his little head. He thinks that all he has to do is attempt to ""dance" in front of the country, and the folks down South will love him forever...

As the former ALCP (Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party) deputy leader... he also has to answer to the drug laws in his town too! Very unimpressed in his double standards!!

The meeting followed the council's decision in August to euthanise six rottweiler-terrier puppies because they could grow to be dangerous.

This is one sort of animal cruelty that he should have to answer to.

Ms Kippenberger said Southland SPCA volunteers were also offended by dog control officers who said they would "chuck the puppies in a pit" and by council chief executive Richard King, who told them to "harden up" when they phoned to complain.

I'm afraid that dog ''control'' officers put on a uniform that also says ''I only do what the mayor tell me, and I have license to do what I want''. They'd be the ones closing the doors at Auswitch!

Not at every council, and not every officer.... but for those that are humane dog officers, they should be commended for working in such harsh conditions!

Mr Shadbolt said the council would apologise for its attitude if he found the Dunedin council treated its SPCA workers better than Invercargill did. He did not offer an apology for killing the pups.

Hum.... he really needs to be challenged in the next elections!

Now THAT is unbelievable. I would think that an apology wouldn't need to be ''on condition''... Even if they did apologise, it wouldn't really be from the heart.

Mr Shadbolt visited the Dunedin City Council last week but said he did not see enough information to warrant an apology.

From one visit he's going to see... what exactly?

"I didn't get to see any of the complaints made against their dog control officers, so we're not ready to apologise just yet," he said.

I wouldn't accept even if you did!

Ms Kippenberger was less than impressed with Mr Shadbolt when contacted by The Southland Times yesterday.

"What they did was tantamount to workplace bullying and it's something other councils wouldn't get away with," she said.

Well, they get their direction from the mayor!

"Clearly Tim doesn't want to wash away the dirt he has got on his hands over this. If his attitude is going to continue then I don't see how the SPCA can have a working relationship with the council.

"My only recourse will be to instruct the Southland SPCA not to work with the Invercargill council."

How sad for our animals...

Ms Kippenberger said the whole issue had caused Southland SPCA volunteers significant emotional harm.

The issue had appeared on Australian websites, she said.

Free fees at schools wouldn't help their sour image!

Despite not offering an apology, Mr Shadbolt said he was impressed with the dog control system Dunedin's council had in place.

Council environmental and planning services director William Watt would visit Dunedin soon to look at the cost of its de-sexing programme as well as any complaints made against its dog control officers.

Oh it's like saying... the police investigating their own!

If the Dunedin system proved affordable, then the council would consider adopting it, Mr Shadbolt said.

The Dunedin council should SELL IT to them!