By Esther Lauaki
A resident fears that “drug-affected” animal owners could put children at risk if the Wyndham City Pound is relocated to a facility near a Point Cook play centre and a bowling alley.
A planning application was advertised last month for the relocation of the pound, based at Old Geelong Road in Hoppers Crossing, to a larger facility at Wallace Avenue in Point Cook.
But one resident, who asked not to be named, said he held concerns about the proposed new location for the pound which is between the Oz Tenpin Point Cook bowling venue and Hijinx Play Centre.
“I’m concerned about the number of people that go in to the pound to pick up their seized animals that are aggressive, could be on drugs or drug-affected and have any number of issues,” he told Star Weekly.
“The proposed new facility would be close to a children’s play centre and also a ten-pin bowling venue.
“I wouldn’t like to see any children put at risk because of the types of people that are going to retrieve their animals.”
He said access to the proposed location would also be more difficult because of its proximity to notorious traffic hotspots such as Point Cook Road and Old Geelong Road.
City operations acting director Jenny McMahon said the facility would be “purely a holding pound” and in line with existing demand.
“There would not be any more than four dogs and 15 cats in the facility at any one time,” Ms McMahon said.
“Any animals held for more than two days are relocated to the Lost Dogs Home.”
She said that dogs identified as a community safety risk are housed in a secure location outside the municipality.
“The animals held at council’s holding pound are not considered a risk to the community and will leave under the supervision of their owner,” Ms McMahon said.
“Security measures and procedures at the new pound are in line with current practice.
“The animals will be housed in pens within the property and there are three locked indoor areas between the pens and the carpark.”
Wyndham animal management officers are required to undertake regular training which includes honing their skills in dealing with aggressive customers, conflict resolution and client interaction.
