A proposal to house dangerous dogs in the veterinary clinic at Blacktown Animal Rehoming Centre (BARC) raised concerns among staff.
Under the arrangement, dangerous dogs would be housed in the clinic during the week, but over weekends other BARC staff would be responsible for entering the clinic to feed, clean and monitor the animals.
Members were concerned that the clinic did not have the same safety controls and containment measures as the facility’s designated dangerous dog kennels. They also questioned whether the arrangement was the most appropriate outcome for the animals themselves.
Members Seek Union Support
Concerned about the potential risks, members sought the assistance of their Union.
Delegates and the USU met with management to discuss the issue and work towards a safer solution that protected both workers and animal welfare.
A Safer Outcome
Following discussions, Council agreed that dangerous dogs would no longer be housed in the clinic over weekends. Instead, only animals requiring medical treatment will remain in the area.
The proposal was put to members and unanimously accepted.
This outcome highlights the important role members and delegates play in identifying workplace risks and achieving practical solutions before incidents occur.
