By ALANAH MAY ERIKSEN
Rotorua's SPCA could be forced to close its doors or move after complaints about its barking dogs.
The animal adoptions centre has been issued with a noise abatement notice for the second time from the Rotorua District Council after complaints from Kerr Automotive owner Laurie Kerr.
The kennels at the Old Taupo Rd complex back on to Kerr Automotive's fence.
SPCA president Britta Bowden said Mr Kerr complains every day, sometimes more than once.
The SPCA and Mr Kerr now have to appear at a council statutory hearing before three district councillors on a yet to be determined date. If the SPCA loses, it will have to get rid of its dogs.
"I am not about to put 20 dogs to sleep," Mrs Bowden said.
SPCA was told at the last hearing about three years ago that if it didn't keep the dogs quiet, the dogs would be taken from them.
Mrs Bowden said they were doing well but the number of dogs had tripled since the last hearing so it was harder to keep them quiet. She said the dogs couldn't help barking, which could be triggered by a number of things - strangers coming to look at the animals, tradesmen coming and going and other dogs.
"They're put in a stressful situation and the fact that they're exposed to constant changes doesn't help. We try everything we can to be as quiet as possible and he's still not happy. We're providing a service for the community, if we can't stay open then Rotorua's going to be in a sad state."
About eight years ago, the SPCA's dog kennels were based in Hamurana and only received the "odd" complaint but no abatement notice. Mrs Bowden's gripe is not with the council - the SPCA is home to a dog and her puppies from the pound at the moment.
Mr Kerr said the SPCA was a good neighbour and he supported what they did, he just could not stand the noise.
"They do a great job but they shouldn't have dogs barking day in and day out. I just don't want it in my ear anymore. It's a real killer."
He said after the last hearing the noise died down, it was just within the last six months it had started up again. Mr Kerr used to ring the SPCA to complain and they would "deal with it" within half an hour.
"I don't want to push the issue. I don't want to see them go but it drives you nuts after a while. It's like a baby crying, it can be quite stressful."
He took the matter to noise control and has laid about 15 complaints in the last six weeks.
Council animal control supervisor Kevin Coutts did not want to comment but confirmed an abatement notice had been issued. The hearing would be held within the next six months.
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