The two ideas were put to councillors at Open Forum on Monday night, as council presented a report outlining the events leading up the accusations of animal cruelty at its facility in late May and how it investigated the matter.

The accusations centred on photos of a dead dog found by members of the public during a visit to the pound, who then posted the photos on social media.

Council's report to the general Committee meeting on Monday contained documentation from RSPCA investigations and on site visit, plus council's responses to the recommendations made by the RSPCA.

The RSPCA has made several recommendations regarding fencing additions, security and documentation of arriving animals.

Several Open Forum speakers raised the examples of No Kill Shelters and the hope Council could examine the concept.

A "no-kill" shelter is an animal shelter that does not kill healthy or treatable animals even when the shelter is full, reserving euthanasia for terminally ill animals or those considered dangerous to public safety.

Councillors took on board the comments; Deputy Mayor Judi Smith saying while there were still several comments she disagreed with from those at Open Forum, there was no doubt in her mind all her fellow councillors agreed with preserving life wherever possible.

Cr Ian Brown also indicated his support of examining the benefits of a community representative group.

Council's report made several recommendations regarding fencing, security, saying Council officers already supported them and are currently progressing with the preliminary costing.

"Council is currently undertaking an audit of the facilities and will then get quotes for the alterations. Most of the items above can be dealt with outside the DA process but a DA will be required for new dangerous dog enclosures and a new exercise area," the report said.

The report also detailed the pound's re-homing program, which revealed 24 animals had been rehomed in the past 12 months.

Sixty seven were released from the pound to the owner, three had died, one was stolen from the pound and 80 euthanised because of lack of a home, sickness, or unsuitability to be rehomed.

"The Ranger has a Facebook page where the re-homing of dogs and cats are advertised. However, due to the recent incident and the ongoing issues these sites are currently not active," the report also stated.

"Council's website also has a 'Lost and Impounded Animals' page and Cowra pound is also linked to the 'Puppy Dog Rescue' website.

"There is an opportunity to revisit the Council website and provide the photos of animals at the pound for re-homing."

Cowra Council also responded to some comments questioning the pound's public access and limited open times, saying the pound was completely accessible to anyone during normal Material Recycling Facility operating hours.

Cleanliness - “When staff arrived, I viewed all the pens disinfected and hosed out, as is I am informed and appeared to be very normal practice. “The walkway is well sloped to be able to drain and there were drainage grates seen in the lane.

Bedding, bowls - “I observed there were three dogs in pens 10, 11 and 13. All these pens and all others facing north had self filling water troughs. There were steel food bowls in with each dog. All dogs had bedding provided.

Security of animals, access by the public - “I then walked around to the southern fence and found it cut in several places, giving any person access to the pound yard. “I stepped through one of these opening (SIC) and got a much closer view of the southern facing pens. I could then also view the lane way fence had been recently cut and a section pushed in toward the pens. I observed that the gate into dog pens was locked with a chain and padlock.”

“I walked around the facility from the front gate to the north and observed that any person from the public could view the north facing pens and get to the fence of the lane in front of the pens."

Recommendations from the report - “That a colourbond fence be constructed around the entire pound facility; this being for the improved safety/security of the dogs and to give a safe and secure area to be able to facilitate the ability to better provide exercise of the dogs in the pound. With the construction of the fence in the north of then north facing pens, a second safe exercise area would be formed for the benefit of the animals.

“I would also suggest the (SIC) once the fence is erected on the southern side it also have a fence division running north and south in form the existing gate fence so as to allow staff and public access to the facility, and animals to be secure and safe in the exercise area at all times.

“In relation to the dog enclosures, I would suggest that the bottom approximately 800 mm be constructed of solid materials to improve security and segregation of the animals and attempting to reduce any distress when animals pass the front of other cages.

“In relation to the drop-off cages, I suggest the front gates is constructed of solid materials and the lock once pushed shut not to be reopened.

“I would also recommended the construction of a purpose built dangerous dog enclosure.

“In relation to the booking in and out of dogs, I would suggest that on addition to other records currently being kept is that each dog is photographed and weighed at point of entering the facility and released."

Tony Croker, Team leader, RSPCA NSW

Cowra Council Environmental Services Director Kate Alberry said in her report on Monday that Council “acknowledges” several points regarding the initial circumstances that prompted the public outcry.

In regards to the declared Dangerous Dog that attacked and killed the ranger’s kelpie: “The dangerous dog was held by Council for an extended period of time this is acknowledged and the system is currently being reviewed.

“Council had many attempts to contact the owner of the dog and sent many letters; however the owner was insisting that he could manage the dog and did not want the dog euthanised.

“The owner advised Council that he wanted an extension to be able to provide the dangerous dog enclosure which was denied. However, the time that it took was excessive and Council staff were too lenient in this regard for such a dangerous animal.

“The owner has since surrendered the dog and it has now been euthanised and the remains returned to the owner on their request.”

The matter of the ranger’s own kelpie being in the pound area was also raised.

“It is acknowledged that this may have been an error of judgement to have a private animal in a pound situation.”