While here in America the self-appointed ruling class’ hypocrisy in “combating” COVID is well-documented, Australia’s draconian measures to slow the virus’ spread make our states-side silliness seem positively benign. Pepper-spraying children. Vicious anti-lockdown protest tactics. Now … shooting dogs, so people won’t be tempted to visit the local animal shelter. From the Sydney Morning Herald

Several impounded dogs due to be rescued by a shelter have instead been shot dead by a rural council in NSW under its interpretation of COVID-19 restrictions, alarming animal activists and prompting a government probe.

Bourke Shire Council, in the state’s north-west, killed the dogs to prevent volunteers at a Cobar-based animal shelter from travelling to pick up the animals last week, according to council’s watchdog, the Office of Local Government.

While any form of animal abuse is hard to stomach, this level of cruel stupidity goes so far beyond the pale, it makes ghost-white look like a deep suntan. How can any — ANY — rational person make such a decision and carry it out? A simple “hey, volunteers, make sure you’re vaccinated” should have been sufficient. Or so little as wearing one of those marvelous, magic masks that go to great lengths to make people feel good that they’re doing their part, never mind how they are far more decorative than effective?

And exactly how dire was the threat demanding this action?

According to NSW Health, there have been no recent locally acquired COVID-19 cases in Cobar, although fragments of the virus have been found in the area’s sewerage system.

Really. The level of utter stupidity and paranoia required to make such a decision is unfathomable.

Compared to this, the do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do, two-faced falsehoods displayed by our politicians is almost charming. If people aren’t fired over this, at bare minimum, and preferably imprisoned for animal cruelty, Australia is the sad sack of all sad sacks.