LEETON Shire Council has refused to confirm if a ranger who shot a microchipped pet dog at the tip in January will keep his job after the release of an external report into the incident this week.
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On Tuesday, Leeton Shire Council held an extraordinary meeting where the report commissioned to SINC solutions and its recommendations were discussed.
In a statement to The Irrigator, council general manager John Batchelor said "matters will be addressed regarding policies, procedures and the need for better public education in relation to the ownership of animals."
Mr Batchelor would not confirm the fate of any of the council staff members involved.
Last January, a firestorm erupted after the incident in which a ranger used a gun to shoot an escaped pet American Staffordshire dog, which he maintained "acted aggressively" towards him.
The release of the report was delayed twice, with Mr Batchelor saying it would not be made available to the public, but he wanted to assure the community "matters outlined in the report are already being worked on by council staff," and "a number of policies and plans will shortly be put forward to council".
Recommendations in the report included a review of impounding practices and a review of council's animal management plan in relation to animal control and the management of impounded companion animals.
Yesterday, community feeling was still strong about the incident with Facebook group "Leeton demands Rangers treat pets humanely" posting about it, with the
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administrator thanking the public for its support.
The report comes on the heels of another alleged dog shooting incident by a Leeton ranger which saw a family pet which was registered and micro-chipped destroyed.
The pet owner - who identified herself as Suzie-q Ingram - described her pet as "the most loyal and loving dog I've ever known I have three heart-broken kids," the post read.