The owner of a sanctuary for rescued animals has launched a desperate plea for help after being taken to court – over animal noise.
Charity boss, Amey James, has been hit by complaints about noises coming from her rural rescue centre.
She says the centre is facing closure after being accused of breaching an abatement order due to “constant daily noises” from cockerels, geese, sheep, cattle and dogs.
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The Happy Pants Ranch, near Sittingbourne, Kent, is home to about 350 unwanted or abandoned animals.
And Amey has been told by Swale Council that the centre failed to comply with a noise abatement notice between March 4 and June 30 and she must attend a hearing at Medway Magistrates’ Court on November 15.
Now she has asked supporters to help her fight the case as reported by Need To Know.
Amey, 38, said: “We need to raise a minimum of £4,000 to cover legal fees so the charity can fight the council in the animal noise case.
“If we do not raise these funds the charity may have to shut down.
“For anyone who has not followed the case, three years ago, when the sanctuary relocated to a plot of 21 acres of unused agricultural land in Sittingbourne, the local council slapped a noise abatement order on the charity for the animals being too noisy after complaints from one nearby residential dwelling.
“Since then, the charity has done all it can to try to relieve the noise, including rehoming and moving animals to the furthest part of the land, but to no avail.
“Swale Council insist that despite being in the heart of rural Kent, the sound of the countryside, animals: geese, cockerels, turkeys, sheep, dogs, is a nuisance noise.
“The nature of these offences seem mind-bogglingly ridiculous, but this has been a three-year battle resulting in a serious court case.
“In order for the sanctuary to continue operating after 10 years, it must appeal the council’s decision and go to court.
“For this, we need to raise enough money to cover the legal fees.”
Supporters have rushed to her aid.
David Warren said: “If all of the 50,000 plus followers contributed 50p or £1 imagine the war chest we would have.”
Gina Green added: “Whoever complained should be ashamed of themselves.”
And Elizabeth Hooker wrote: “I wish you all the best.”
A spokesman for Swale Council said: “We have a duty to investigate any complaints we receive and we always try to work with all those involved to resolve the situation in an amicable manner. Court action is always a last resort.”
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