Council Animal Games Continue

LEAH Marchant who voiced her concerns about the treatment of animals at the Scone pound has now been blocked by Council on their Facebook page from seeing any images of lost animals.

Ms Marchant runs Scone Lost Dogs and networks with a range of rescue and animal welfare groups to rehome animals, spending her time and resources to transport animals all over the state to their new home.

Ms Marchant said she has been blocked from commenting or liking any of their posts since last August but this was a new low even for Council.

“I received a phone call from Councillor Lee Watts, on behalf of the Mayor, to see how she could help the situation,” Ms Marchant said.

“She said she would try to help me, but I laughed and said it’s Council you need to help,” she said.

“I can see everything else on their Facebook page, except the animal posts, it is just beyond ridiculous,” she said.

“I have had a lot of support from the community and animal welfare groups with them all screen-shotting the Council’s posts to share with me, however this does not resolve the fundamental problem.

“Basically Council will put their ego problem with me as a whistle blower ahead of the welfare and rehoming of lost animals.

“I am a strong advocate of the pound since I helped to get insulation, an exercise yard and often the safest place for animals is the local pound.

“Their rehoming rates are high and euthanasia is currently low and I actively help them rehome,” she said.

“But Council’s behaviour continues to be childish vendetta to the detriment of rehoming animals in the pound,” Leah Marchant said.

Last month an application by a Council ranger for a personal violence order against Ms Marchant was withdrawn following court appointed mediation.

John Preston who recently represented Ms Marchant in the court matter said he is staggered by Council’s continued poor behaviour.

Mr Preston was also a policy advisor for Sydney City Council for four years and is a state candidate for the Fisher’s and Shooters Party.

“This is the kind of behaviour I would normally expect from a 14 year old, an angst ridden 14 year old,” said Mr Preston.

“I have neither seen nor heard of this kind of behaviour directed at an individual from any level of government and it is completely disproportionate and inappropriate,” he said.

“In the four years at the City of Sydney we never blocked anyone off the website and to the best of my knowledge nobody was targeted with these kind of behaviours and Town Hall has dealt with some terrible behaviour, but this is absolutely inappropriate and for want of a better expression childish,” he said.

“I mean really?! It sounds like she has been unfriended, who are they going to unfriend next?” he laughed.

“One of the key aspects of government is that you are supposed to be above this kind of behaviours and childishness, clearly they are not and ratepayers and deserve better,” John Preston said.

Other Stories:

• Pound Court Matter Dismissed – October 16, 2017;
• Violence Order Pounded – August 21, 2017;
• Prevented from Going to the Pound – April 7, 2017;
• Ratepayers Not to Foot Defamation Costs – August 9, 2017;
• Helping Country Dogs Find Homes – December 29, 2016;
• Pound Plans Premature – October 10, 2016;
• Dead Dogs and Destroyed Documents – October 10, 2016.