24 December, 2014. 06:24
CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | [email protected]
FROM THE EDITOR:
The Betoota Advocate would like to wholeheartedly apologise to the hardworking volunteers and administrators at the RSPCA’s Queensland chapter for misinformation that went to print on December 21st.
We would like to also apologise, wholeheartedly, to our readers as well. Our brief brush with sensationalism has left them feeling rather sullied – with some even taking it as far as comparing us to the Daily Telegraph.
The story, originally titled “RSPCA to provide veterinarians for selected dog fights” – was printed by the Advocate in a rushed attempt to address the alarming epidemic of dog fighting throughout Queensland.
The source on which we based this article, has since been revealed as a “bit of a shit-t*lker” – after having been contacted by both the RSPCA and Courier Mail regarding his reliability.
As the sole news-provider for the Queensland Channel Country and one the oldest newspapers in Australia, The Betoota Advocate’s online renaissance has allowed us to fly to close to the sun on several occasions. We apologise for that.
With shame, our rushed and unconscious sensationalism has jeopardised the hard work of the QLD RSPCA’s Christmas Appeal – with many readers calling them to voice their concerns.
We would like to point out that the original article has since been appropriated to state that this trial program was in fact an initiative put forward by the Newman Government and has nothing to do with the RSPCA.
The RSPCA are selfless in their work with at-risk and neglected animals right across the country. We ask that you would please join us in donating to their Christmas Appeal: www.rspcaqld.org.au
