White German Shepherd Dog Alliance of Victoria

Owner Donna lost Sabu when he went missing from her rural property on 4th June 2009, before the Queens Birthday long weekend. Donna and her husband have recently moved to the Shire, all the way across from Western Australia. As Donna and her husband could not have children of their own, Sabu was their pride and joy, like a child to them. Sabu was a quiet, laid back, loyal and affectionate dog, preferring to hang back from strangers until he got to know them. He had never shown any aggression to strangers.

Donna and her neighbours frantically searched for Sabu as soon as he went missing, which was 10:00am until 8.30pm that day, as well as the next day. Sabu had collars and ID tags on, so everyone hoped that a local might find him and contact his owner.

The day he went missing, Donna reported Sabu as missing to the Gannawarra Shire and was given the phone number of whom she believed to be the Pound Ranger. In fact, the number she was given was not the Pound Ranger, but a different group of Rangers. The Rangers she telephoned had not found any dog of Sabus description. She left all her details with them in case they happened to find him. Donna also drove by the local petrol station and spoke to the owner, who said she would keep an ear out and ask some of the locals stopping by.

The next day on 5th June, Donna was contacted by the petrol station owner who said that a Shire Ranger had stopped by to fill the vehicle up, who said they had found a White German Shepherd the day before at 1pm. Donna was overjoyed and contacted the pound immediately to ask when she could pick him up. Donna was told that the pound would have to return her phone call. Over one hour had passed and Donna had not received a call back. She was eager to get her beloved Sabu out of the pound and waiting around for a phone call wasn’t easy, so she drove up to there with her neighbour.

When she was nearly at the Pound for the Gannawarra Shire, she called them again, saying that she was on her way and was asked how much it would cost to get him out. They replied “$100 should cover it”, but the Ranger was not in yet and she would have to leave her details once again. When Donna arrived, she was asking where Sabu was.

Time passed whist waiting for answers at the Shire, when a Gannawarra Ranger telephoned Donna, who supposedly had possession of Sabu. This man told Donna he had her dog, but he was not easy to handle and was ‘vicious’ and could not get near him. He said that the Barham Rangers had found him over the other side of the Murray River and transferred him to the Kerang Rangers. The Ranger who shot the Sabu was the third person to handle him. This Ranger said there was no collar on the dog and it was not microchipped. Donna asked ‘How come you know Sabu was not microchipped if you say he was vicious and you could not get near him?’. No-one could answer her question. One can only assume that he was scanned AFTER he was shot and killed. It was also very peculiar that other Rangers had been able to catch, load and unload Sabu before he came into contact with the Ranger that shot and killed him.

The Ranger said the dog ‘did not want to get out of the back of the ute’. Donna said ‘He must have been stressed, and he didn’t know you.’. The Ranger then continued, ‘So I shot it’.

Donna was in disbelief, as everyone had led her to believe Sabu was safe in the pound! This Ranger was extremely rude and showed no remorse towards the owner and did not even apologise for shooting him.

It was reported by locals that it was not the first time this Ranger had shot and killed a dog that had been captured. The Shire states that dogs that are found at large are impounded and kept for 8 days. It also states on its website that “Any dog or cat found wandering at large will be impounded.“ and ‘To this end Council controls animals as required by the Domestic (Feral and Nuisance) Animals Act 1994.’. This is a stark contradiction by the shire, in Sabus case.

Donna was told that Sabu was buried after he was shot. The Shire are not telling her where his body was left but has simply said it is at the “Bone Farm”. Donna just wants him back so she can get closure and have him back to be cremated and a memorial created. It was later discovered that he was dumped at the local rubbish tip.

Sabu had never lunged at, bit or attacked any of the Rangers he was in contact with. He was soaking wet from crossing the Murray River, tired, disorientated and stressed. He was not declared a ‘Dangerous Dog’.

Rangers are required to be trained and qualified in the handling of animals. They must adhere to a Code of Conduct and understand the Legislation and Procedures pertaining to the capture, impound and disposal of animals. This simply did not happen.

Even dogs who bite people and attack other animals are still required to be impounded so the appropriate procedures may be followed. Sabu, an obedience-trained family pet who wouldn’t jump off a ute, was not given this opportunity. The Gannawarra Shire Ranger had no right to shoot and kill Sabu. Donna simply wants justice for her dog. She questions why her dog was cruelly treated and not impounded as per normal council procedures and Legislation.

The Gannawarra Shire has provided no evidence to support or justify why Sabu was killed and why Donna was refused his body back.

Donna is currently taking legal action against the Gannawarra Shire for the injustice Sabu suffered, and for their breach of the Domestic (Feral and Nuisance) Animals Act 1994.

This could happen to anyones family pet!

You can show your support by joining the Facebook group

Justice for White Shepherd Sabu, shot by Ranger for not jumping off ute

and contacting us to see what you can do to help

The Gannawarra Shire should NOT be able to get away with murdering pets and not following correct animal handling procedures, as per the Act that governs them! Rangers are supposed to be trained in the welfare and handing of animals, not SHOOT them for not getting off motor vehicles!

There will never be another Sabu…