Hugh Wirth | |
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| Born | (1939-09-09)9 September 1939 |
| Died | 5 February 2018(2018-02-05) (aged 78)[1] |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Education | Xavier College |
| Alma mater | University of Queensland |
| Occupation | Veterinarian |
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| Known for |
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| Awards | George T Angell Humanitarian Award from theMassachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (1988) |
Hugh John WirthAM[2] (9 September 1939 – 5 February 2018) was an Australianveterinarian andanimal welfare advocate inVictoria,Australia.[3] In March 2011 he celebrated 30 years as the resident vet on774 ABC Melbourne.[4]
Wirth attendedXavier College in Melbourne from 1949 to 1957. He graduated from theUniversity of Queensland with a degree in veterinary science.[2]
Wirth commenced work as an associate veterinary practitioner atDrouin veterinary surgery, from 1964 to 1965. After this he was employed as associate veterinary practitioner, Balwyn Veterinary Surgery, from 1965 to 1966. Wirth took over the Balwyn practice in January 1967 after the veterinarian went into hospital for an eye operation and never returned to the practice to work. He was the principal in the practice from January 1967 to his retirement in August 2006.[2]
Wirth joined theRSPCA as a junior member in 1948, trained inveterinary science and practised as aveterinarian for 47 years, and became one of Australia's best known and outspoken animal welfare advocates.[5] He had now been a council member for RSPCA Victoria from 1969, and President from 1972.
He was the first non-European to hold the position as president of theWorld Society for the Protection of Animals (now known asWorld Animal Protection).
On thelive export trade Wirth was a staunch opponent arguing "that the animal is killed in an Australian abattoir. Subject to head-only stunning so that it meets the Koran's demands."[6] Similarly, Wirth opposedduck hunting calling it cruel and unnecessary and no longer an acceptable cultural practice for Victorians.[7] In March 2011 Wirth said that RSPCA Australia would investigate all reports of animal cruelty resulting from theEden Park Kangaroo Cull and also said herding of kangaroos, which has been reported as part of the kangaroo cull, was in breach of a Victorian kangaroo management plan compiled by the DSE and approved by the RSPCA years ago.[8]
Wirth was appointed a Member of theOrder of Australia (AM) on 10 June 1985 "for service in the field of animal welfare particularly with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA)".[9]
In 1988, Wirth was the first Australian to receive the George T. Angell Humanitarian Award from theMassachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA).
Wirth was namedVictorian of the Year in 1997.[10]
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