I can't believe that flood evacuees were told they had to leave their pets behind.

To start with, for many of the elderly those pets would be their only "live in" family, if not their only actual family. As if the flood & evacuation was not traumatic enough, this stupid insensitive instruction would be the end.

To suggest that house pets should be left to fend for themselves in a half, or totally submerged town is ridiculous

If the RSPCA don't bring cruelty charges against the perpetrator of this instruction, it would be very wise for any future donation collector for them, to avoid coming to my door.

Meanwhile I hope the life, in a political sense, of the mayor, or council, as the case may be, who ordered a compulsory evacuation of an entire town, is very short.

I don't know what ever gives these jumped up pipsqueaks the idea that they are capable of making such a decision. These people are put there to oversee some minor bureaucrats managing water treatment plants, waste disposal, & perhaps sewage treatment.

Nothing should ever give them the idea they have the right to make life effecting decisions for anyone. I did hope that the display of the stupidity of some of them, in preventing intelligent tree clearing, before the Victorian fires, would have made the rest a little more circumspect. Apparently it hasn't.

If this grumpy codger outrage has anything to do with this story:

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/flood-victims-pets-need-refuge-after-rockhampyon-city-council-relocates-animals-from-pound/story-e6freon6-1225979879229

then the actual truth of the matter is something else entirely.

Once it was me in the State emergency yellow rain coat, or the road rescue one.
Maybe but it never happened the radio institute of Australia.
Fire brigade too, 30 years of that.
Every second for free, no charge Australia,thanks for the best ever prize.
The chance to help, in the past now, radios,still ready if a communications event is needed but too old for the hard stuff.
I can see no human, not ever, leaving a dog if another way could be found.
If however one more human could be put in the boat/chopper ?
An emotional post,about my best mates,dogs, two at my feet now.
It pains me, not for me,I never marched in the thank you thing,thought it was dangerous,some of the fireys started fires after that.
But every now and again a fool thinking these brave folk bought about the fire, rain smash,and are paid workers,get very ugly.
This thread is such, thanks Bugsy.

i saw your post yesterday...
and had some thoughts about it more..today

belly seems rather cryptic..in his saying so
but recalls many good points..so its hard to fault anyone

these unpayed workers...are doing the best they can do
imagine the headlines..if they resqued two dogs..

and one person died
because..the boat was full

these good people are doing their best
they feel the pain more than us

likely have nighmares..and flashbacks for life..
because they heard the dog..knew the dog..they had to leave behind

belly dosnt say so..but its likely a standing order
not to take the dog...[just to avoid the previous imaginary headline]

yes its ccccrap..sitting here ..knowing that dogs/cats/birds snakes..cattle sheep food and homes are being devoured/by a flood

but some things we must leave to god
and its not gods fault people do silly things
who builds in a floodplane..but those who have no other choice?

or developers making a quick buck..off some council colluded resoning change..that allowed the home to be built there..in the first place

if blame is to be accorded
there is plenty to go round

people want cheap homes..meaning shonks
who cut corners..to meet the market-demand

we could have people homeless
or could hold the rezoning to acount

there is plenty of misstakes..that go into making these trajedies
even land clearing..that allows the flood..to runoff so fast

but while i agree..we need to talk about this
i feel lets not cast blame..

lets look at how
we can make sure
no child..is left behind...next time

for now the best we can do
is leave some things to god

[im glad i didnt reply yesterday...it would have had a totally differnt tone...]

but glad you raised the point
for discussion

what can we ALL do better
next time?

Hasbeen,
I know you have a dog or two, and no doubt love them, but on this issue i think you have allowed emotions to cloud your opinions. I think you have also had horses as well.

Common, be a bit practical, would you really allow a pet to take up a place in a rescue boat when humans are waiting to be rescued. Bit like the situation when a lifeboat is full after a ship sinks. If it continues to take more people the lot may sink. Hard decissions have to be made and you are normally practical enough to realise this.

Then you have to have facilities to house pets even if rescued. Difficult enough to accomodate the humans and provide for them.

I have been in the situation where animals have had to be put down so I know how difficult it is, but one has to be pragmatic.

Great you're a volunteer Belly, however that doesn't make you or your fellows, the font of all wisdom, or sense. The mere act of volunteering is in no way a qualification to take charge, although in more than a few cases the volunteers seem to think it is.

Volunteer organisations vary greatly in quality from different localities. I am a member of our local bush fire brigade. However, if the clowns & cowboys who make the membership of another nearby brigade were to try to enter my property, they would be met with considerable resistance.

I have no argument with a chopper pilot who says no animals, particularly a mix of unknown cats & dogs, they are responsible for the safety of the aircraft, & their passengers. However, no one should have the right to assume the responsibility for the victims of a disaster, & remove their personal choice. No one should ever be able to order an evacuation against the will of residents, & then tell them what they can take.

In this instance it appears it was a mayor who assumed this right, not included in the job description at the last election of councilors I attended. I have seen a few councilors, & only one mayor that I would trust with a corner store, let alone peoples future.

The dictatorial attitude of a mayor who said, "we will be turning the power off, & then they'll have to go", is exactly what we don't need.

What we need is the power turned off when safety demands, an evacuation plan, for those who want it, & for this fool mayor to back off, & mind his own damn business.

I & many others have managed a few emergencies in our lives, some before he was born, & can do without his trying to control everyone. He belongs in the old Russia, not a modern Australia.