Auckland Council is defending its decision to euthanise Jade Gallagher after the five year old launched an unprovoked attack on Bruiser, the family’s pit bull terrier.
Bruiser was asleep in his bed just inside the back door when Jade reportedly bit his tail, causing the dog to yelp and look reproachfully at the girl before drifting back to sleep.
Children’s Commissioner Martin Weaslebaum is insisting that an independent enquiry be launched, a move firmly opposed by the SPCA, SAFE, and the Gallagher family themselves.
Brendan Gallagher appeared at the front door of their Northcote home and spoke briefly to waiting media. “Obviously we’re very upset to be losing Jade; she’d become almost a member of the family. But part of being a parent is taking responsibility for your child’s actions and that’s why we surrendered her when asked.”
His statement was largely drowned out in a barrage of questions from reporters keen for an update on Bruiser.
“Bruiser’s doing okay; obviously it’ll take a while for the shock to wear off but he should be fine once he’s been fed.”
Auckland Council’s Child Control Unit has come under criticism before amid allegations of heavy-handedness and inhumane conditions at the North Shore pound.
Auckland Child Owners Assocation president Nigel McKelvey told the Moa they’ve been lobbying for change for the past five years.
“They charge us a hefty fee but we get nothing for it except a registration tag. And of course children grow so fast that half the time we have to pay for a replacement tag before the first one’s expired.”
McKelvey is also concerned at the Council’s rehoming policy, which the ACOA regards as unreasonably strict and makes it difficult for the average family to adopt perfectly healthy children.
Council spokesperson Sarah Biggleton is unapologetic. “The adoption criteria are there for good reasons and they’re not onerous. All we ask is that the adoptive family pay for the basic vaccinations and get the child neutered within six weeks.”
When we mentioned the ACOA’s concerns Biggleton shrugged.
“Half of the children we’re forced to euthanise were abandoned by so-called child-lovers. Their members would do well to remember that a child is for life, not just for Christmas.”