Pets aplenty: Narelle Roughley with two of her eight dogs. Picture: Tommy Ritchie 75754
ERIN PEARSON
A HOUSEHOLD with eight noisy dogs is driving Whittington residents to breaking point, according to a neighbour.
Terry Anderson said his family had been seeking council action on the tenants’ “barking and vicious” dogs for two years.
Council bylaws allow a maximum two dogs or cats per dwelling in residential areas.
Mr Anderson said the dogs had driven his family to tears.
“The neighbours moved in with two dogs and then acquired a third dog before they began breeding and now we’re left living next door to eight,” he said.
“This has been going on for years and council hasn’t done anything about it.
“I’m a dog lover and to see their Jack Russells fighting to the point where they bleed is so distressing.”
Mr Anderson said he made his latest complaint to council in December almost two years after his initial objection.
A statement from City of Greater Geelong said it was “aware of issues” at the Solar Dve property.
The statement failed to respond to Mr Anderson’s allegation of inaction.
City acting community laws and compliance coordinator Greg Mead said council officers would visit the property to determine whether the dog owners had breached bylaws.
Mr Mead said the visit would include a welfare check on animals at the property.
Owners can apply for a permit under council’s Local Law and Domestic Animals Act to house more than two cats or dogs.
Mr Mead said council considered permit applications on a “case-by-case” basis.
The dogs’ owner, Narelle Roughley, defended keeping so many pets in her public housing home.
Ms Roughley accused her neighbours of unfair treatment over the past two years.
“We all have compassion for nature and life but ever since I moved into this house I’ve had trouble with the neighbours.
“My son and I have always loved animals. Most of the ones we have were homeless and we’ve taken them in.
“I want them all to have a good home.”
Ms Roughley said she planned to obtain a permit to keep five dogs and eventually find new homes for the other three.
