A KENNEL has said it may have to put dogs down if noise complaints lead to its closure.
Beloved Dog Kennels at Willow Hill Farm near Flyford Flavell said it was handed a noise abatement order earlier this year after neighbours had complained about being able to hear dogs barking.
“There’s a few neighbours who say we cause 24 hours of relentless noise,” said kennel manager Jess Bollerod.
The business, in addition to day care and boarding for dogs, also acts as a rescue centre.
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Some of the dogs it houses are considered unsuitable to go into a home and so are cared for onsite indefinitely.
It is feared that these dogs will have to be euthanised if the order, which can result in a hefty fine, forces the kennel to close.
The kennel has appealed the order but is yet to hear if it is has been successful, despite the order’s deadline being just days away.
Ms Bollerod said the team was also happy to work with residents on mitigating noise.
“We did appeal the notice within the time frame but because of backlogs, we haven’t had a response from court,” she said.
“We are willing to work with neighbours.”
A petition has been launched, calling for enforcement action to be paused until the appeal, as well as a retrospective planning application, have received a response.
A GoFundMe page has also been launched to support the kennel with legal costs, sound and ecological surveys and planning fees.
“It’s really stressing us out because we are so aware of the deadline and we don’t know if our appeal has been accepted,” Ms Bollerod said.
“We take dogs that have nowhere else to go. If we are closed down, where do they go?
“Nobody wants to have the dogs put down. It’s very upsetting as some have been with us for three or four years and they are our family.
“We are trying everything.
“It’s taking a toll on all of us because we are still doing our normal jobs alongside this.”
Worcestershire Regulatory Services has been contacted for comment.
