A week's pause at haven
AS HAPPY Paws Haven devotee Sally Rogers breathes a sigh of relief, neighbours of her Eatonsville property continue to howl.
Last week, Ms Rogers' animal rescue shelter was granted a stay of action in court after Clarence Valley Council issued her with a notice to remove all the dogs from her property in response to noise complaints by nearby residents. Describing herself as ecstatic about the judge's finding, Ms Rogers now has one week for acoustical engineers to come to an agreement regarding minimising noise disruption from animals at Happy Paws Haven.
Under the stay of action, Ms Rogers cannot take in any more dogs at Happy Paws Haven and will work with council to re-home the dogs she now has.
"I was over the moon when I heard the stay of action had been granted because I knew the dogs' lives had been saved. I knew what would happen to them if they would have to leave," she said.
Lyn Campbell owns a property adjoining Happy Paws Haven. She said neighbours were unhappy with the decision, adding she wondered if council would ever win a case against the shelter.
"I understand Ms Rogers is entitled to her day in court, but she can't have a large number of dogs on her property. We can't work in one of our own paddocks because they bark constantly," she said. "She has between 30 and 40 dogs on her three-quarter acre."
Mrs Campbell said Eatonsville residents simply wanted their quiet and peaceful neighbourhood back. She didn't know where the saga between Ms Rogers and her neighbours would go next.
"It is an ongoing complaint. Who knows where it will end?" Mrs Campbell lamented.
