Councillors expressed impassioned views over a recommendation to move construction of a new pound forward and a perceived bias in The Witness’s recent front page article about its re-homing.

Councillor Brian Mullany moved to remove the recommendation and replace it with another stating that the funds instead be put towards the expansion of youth, age and crisis care in the community. 

“This council should not be moved anymore by emotive issues driven by social media or paper’s ridiculous story telling antics,” he said. 

“It’s disgusting we’re spending money on this while humans are suffering. 

“Surely we could get away with the old pound for another 10 years and use these funds for a better cause.”

Councillor Brian Ingram, calling himself an “animal person”, seconded the motion asking why Young needed a “four star pound” when kids were sleeping under the bridge.

“I don’t see why it’s our responsibility to look after animals for two months [when they are] neglected by human owners,” he said.

Cr Ingram also questioned what he considered to be  The Witness’s “ordinary reporting of the truth”.  

Councillor Ben Cooper also supported Cr Mullany’s motion, saying he had an issue with cats destroying the environment’s biodiversity.

He suggested the need for a public awareness campaign. 

“Unless you tackle the issues with needing a new pound, the problem will continue into the future,” Cr Cooper said.  

However, Councillor John Walker came out against the motion, saying council had a responsibility to take care of companion animals.

“I think we need to address it, fix it up now and get it right for the future,” he said. 

Councillor Tony Wallace asked environment, planning and strategic services director Craig Filmer – who drew up the draft policy – whether the pound was noncompliant, as suggested by animal rescue volunteer Lisa Ryan in the open forum.

“The pound is functional at best,” Mr Filmer said. 

He said the pound checked against NSW Department of Agriculture guidelines for boarding cats and dogs. 

“But with the limited resources I have there is not a lot of opportunity to upgrade the facility.”     

Mayor Stuart Freudenstein said he believed the pound should be replaced, as discussed for years, but that he was also “frustrated” with the media.

“Just like any piece of aging infrastructure, you have to replace it,” he said. 

Councillor Sandy Freudenstein said she had heard Ms Ryan very clearly that Young needed a new pound and she hoped government grants would help mitigate some of the costs.  

The draft re-homing policy passed through unchanged, with it open for public comment for 28 days until which time council will consider all submissions and whether to adopt the revised proposal. 

Editor’s note: The Young Witness reports on the facts presented to them and always strives for balanced reporting. 

We stand by the facts presented in our first article.