Councillors endorsed a recommendation from the companion animals community committee to investigate options in the pound tender for an after-hours service, ask the RSPCA to consider reopening the after-hours cages and advertise contacts for stray animals.

The item followed reports of residents having nowhere to lock up a stray and vets taking up the slack because rangers only responded to dangerous dogs after hours and the RSPCA cages were no longer available due to vandalism.

Councillor Ron Gander said people needed somewhere to leave pets in safety.

“The vets not only have to send staff out, but they have to cage them,” he said.

Councillor Reg Kidd said larger animals like cattle, kangaroos and horses were a road hazard.

“We’ve got to have people who know what they’re doing – if the animals take off, they can become super dangerous,” he said.

Development Services David Waddell said the cages were not in the contract, which has been month-to-month for some time.

“They were within their rights to pull the service,” he said.

“Whether we need another contract that stipulates that, we need to look at it.”

An RSPCA spokeswoman said the organisation was open to discussions with the council regarding all aspects of the contract.

She said there had been continual vandalism and pets released, in many cases within days of repairs, and the RSPCA was unable to ensure animals’ safety. 

“Numerous repairs have been completed on the original after-hours cages,” she said.

“The cages were largely rebuilt on two separate occasions following vandalism – cages were installed with a solid metal front and these were cut open with a power tool.”

She said the RSPCA accepted strays between 10am and 3.30pm. 

Outside those hours, she suggested people house them overnight and either bring them to the shelter the next morning or call the council during business hours, and use social media to track down the owner.

In an emergency, people should call the council’s after-hours number on 1300 650 511 or the RSPCA on 1300 278 358.