PEOPLE breaking into the Glenfield Road Animal Shelter (GRAS) to reclaim their impounded pets has been the catalyst for installing CCTV at the facility.
Wagga City Council will spend $22,500 to install the cameras in the open area of the compound, offices, cattery and dog kennels.
Council Director of Planning and Regulatory Services, Andrew Crakanthorp, said GRAS had been the target of numerous break, enter and steal events over the years.
“Some eight weeks ago persons entered the new dog shelter and used heavy cutting equipment to retrieve their dogs, and damaging council property,” he said.
“Some years ago the then office was destroyed by fire and recently another business area within the compound had computers and vehicles stolen and damaged.”
The CCTV will double as a protective measure for staff, who have been physically and verbally threatened in the past. Council expects the project will achieve greater security for both staff and the animals, and reduce crime.
The cost of reclaiming an animal depends on whether it is micro-chipped and registered, as well as how long it takes owners to retrieve their animals because fees and charges apply per day.
GRAS has been mired in controversy since a ranger wrongly euthanised a pet dog in June.
A subsequent review into the procedures and operations at GRAS is currently being peer reviewed by an external agency in draft form. Its release depends on the time taken to complete the review.
