Wildlife campaigner who has rescued thousands of creatures faces £20,000 fine after one person complained his sanctuary smells strongly of ANIMALS
- Geoff Grewcock, 72, and daughter Emma Hudson, 39, rescue animals and birds
- Pair have recued and rehabilitated around 100,000 animals over past 21 years
- Future of the sanctuary now at risk after Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council slapped pair with an abatement order following one complaint
A wildlife campaigner who has rescued thousands of creatures is facing a £20,000 fine after one person complained about his sanctuary smelling of animals.
Geoff Grewcock, 72, and his daughter Emma Hudson, 39, have created a safe haven for sick and injured animals at their Nuneaton and Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary.
The pair have helped save around 100,000 animals and birds over the past 21 years and provided rehabilitation to nurse them back to health.
The sanctuary itself is located behind Geoff’s bungalow and provides a free rescue service for animals while giving invaluable education to school children and community groups across the borough.
But the future of the sanctuary is now at risk after Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council slapped Mr Grewcock and Emma with an abatement order following one complaint.
In a letter sent to them on May 19, the council said: ‘Evidence gathered demonstrated that the animal odour is causing a nuisance to people in the area.
‘Animal odours from the sanctuary was witnessed on two separate occasions.
Geoff Grewcock, 72, (right) and his daughter Emma Hudson, 39, (left) have created a safe haven for sick and injured animals at their Nuneaton and Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary
The pair have helped save around 100,000 animals and birds over the past 21 years and provided rehabilitation to nurse them back to health
The sanctuary itself is located behind Geoff’s bungalow and provides a free rescue service for animals while giving invaluable education to school children and community groups across the borough
‘On both occasions the officer was of the opinion that the odour was unpleasant and was present for a prolonged period which would prevent the complainant from enjoying the use of their property.’
Mr Grewcock and Emma have now been warned that if their sanctuary continues to smell, they face a £20,000 fine or even criminal prosecution.
The pair now fear the only way to comply with the order is to close and put down the 35 animals currently at the sanctuary.
Emma, who has a 12-year-old daughter, said: ‘We have been running an animal sanctuary here for 21 years without a problem.
‘The council told us they received one complaint from somebody so had to investigate.
‘Everyone who lives near here knows what we do and is very supportive. We don’t cause any problems but we do care for animals.
‘It just seems like they have a vendetta against us and will simply complain about anything just to see us out of the area.
‘We are an animal sanctuary, so of course there is going to some sort of animal smell and it has never been a problem to anybody for the past 21 years.
The pair now fear the only way to comply with the order is to close and put down the 35 animals currently at the sanctuary
‘One guy came out from the council on five occasions and stood for 20 minutes in the garden. On just two of those occasions, he reported a smell.
‘But this order is indefinite, meaning if we don’t stop the smell then we could face a £20,000 which will simply close us down. But I simply don’t know what more we can do to.
‘We clean and disinfect every night, the issue is not of hygiene – animals will smell of animals, no matter what.
‘The cheeky part is that they want to charge us £61 just to appeal it. We are just a small charity and every penny counts towards ensuring the welfare of these animals.’
Emma admits the fate of the animals currently being cared for at the centre is uncertain.
Mr Grewcock and Emma have now been warned that if their sanctuary continues to smell, they face a £20,000 fine or even criminal prosecution
She added: ‘Some of these animals will be euthanised if we are forced to shut down if we can’t find other places for them, which is unlikely and we’re one of the only services of its kind in the area.
‘We rescue and rehabilitate animals from all over the county and beyond and it would be a shame to lose all that because just one person has complained.
‘It has been an ongoing nightmare and my dad’s health has suffered as a result.
‘But we have done absolutely nothing wrong and just seem to be victims of a hate campaign which could now see us finally close our doors.’
Councilor Julian Gutteridge, portfolio holder for health and environment at Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, said: ‘The Borough Council has a duty to assess and identify statutory nuisances within the Borough and take appropriate action under the relevant legislation.
‘In this case officers felt that a statutory nuisance was occurring and were obliged to serve the abatement notice.
‘The abatement notice means that the occupier of this property needs to take demonstrable steps to stop the nuisance from occurring or recurring.
‘Statutory action like this is always a last resort, but we are always ready to work with the parties involved to find the best outcome we can for local residents.’
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