THE ANIMAL cruelty allegations in Clunes must be listened to.
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The issue here is one of proof. The RSPCA says it has been out to the property in question and seen the animal, but it had shelter and access to water.
That’s fair enough, but that doesn’t mean the animal is always being cared for properly. Considering an entire group of neighbours have raised their concerns, surely that means the case warrants a second look.
It is also great news to hear Hepburn Shire Council has put the matter under investigation due to repeated calls from concerned neighbours.
However, this instance also raised questions about what it is exactly that constitutes animal neglect or cruelty.
If an animal is chained up all day, has rudimentary shelter and access to water – is that really enough? Surely our animals deserve more than that from us.
They deserve to be able to move freely – albeit in an enclosed area. They deserve comfort. They deserve interaction and stimulation – from both humans, and if it is suitable, from other dogs in social settings such as a dog park.
Perhaps that is the naïve attitude of a city dweller who has never dealt with animal farming or husbandry in any way, shape or form. But this Clunes dog is not a farm animal. It’s supposed to be a pet.
Why get a pet if it’s left chained outside for hours on end, simply barking and howling all day and driving all the neighbours berserk?
Hepburn Shire Council’s responsible pet ownership tips remind people to not let their dogs bark all day, for hours on end. It says that barking is normal behaviour, and that to curb excessive barking, the cause needs to be found.
The council has an entire page stipulating potential causes for excessive barking – these include boredom, separation anxiety, fear, territorial behaviour, attention-seeking and communication.
It doesn’t take a genius to see the Clunes dog in question fits into at least some of these categories.
The RSPCA also stipulates a list of responsible animal behaviours – these include freedom to express normal behaviour and freedom from fear and distress.
Having a pet is more than just about giving them a kennel and a bucket of water. It’s about actively caring about them. And that’s why this case in Clunes is important – as a community, we need to raise our standards.