THE “gut wrenching” smell of decomposing carcasses at the RSPCA animal shelter has left staff at the nearby Orange Scrap Recyclers unable to eat their lunch and dry retching in the yard.
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Orange Scrap Recyclers’ Kym Wenban said decomposing animals are being left in bins at the rear of the RSPCA’s William Street premises for days on end resulting in a strong odour that eventually permeates the area.
“It’s just wrong, we started to smell it on Tuesday and it just go worse,” Mr Wenban said.
“We may as well just park next to some road kill, put out a rug and have a picnic.”
On Thursday staff complained to Orange City Council and a bin was emptied later that day.
According to Ms Wenban this has happened on two or three occasions in the last 12 months and council had been made aware of the problem.
She said she had also informed RSPCA staff of the extent of the smell which gets worse on hot days.
“This has to be a health hazard there are flies buzzing around bins and it’s really disgusting,” she said.
Ms Wenban said it’s worrying to think flies which have landed on animal carcasses may later sit on utensils and coffee cups at the nearby businesses.
“I think you’ve got to expect there to be some smells when they’re cleaning out the pens but this is too much,” she said.
“They’ve got a hard job I know that, but something has to be done.”
Council spokesperson Nick Redmond said while questions about RSPCA operational matters should be addressed to the RSPCA, he confirmed council had received a complaint this week about odour problem.
“The matter was referred to the RSPCA, and they took steps to address the problem yesterday [Thursday].”
RSPCA NSW spokeswoman Jessica Conway said RSPCA NSW was aware of complaints this week surrounding the Orange shelter and a bad odour.
“Any waste material is placed in the bin on a Monday afternoon, in preparation for collection by a specialised service that evening,” she said.
“Unfortunately this past week, the waste management company failed to collect on Monday night.
“Despite RSPCA’s best efforts, another collection wasn’t possible until Thursday.”
She said the situation has been rectified and apologised for any inconvenience or discomfort caused.
tracey.prisk@fairfaxmedia.com.au
