A woman whose dogs were seized after neighbours complained of constant barking has been ordered out of her council home in Trefin.
A court granted Pembrokeshire County Council a full possession order last Wednesday, 4 November, for the house at Bryn y Derwydd. Julia Goodgame has 14 days to leave, the council says.
The court also awarded the council £4,632.20 in costs.
Rent arrears, dog mess and no access for repairs: why Pembrokeshire Council went to court
The council says she ran up rent arrears serious enough to meet the mandatory grounds for possession.
It says she also broke her occupation contract through persistent anti-social behaviour that had a significant impact on neighbours.
The house and garden were not looked after, with dog faeces, household items and rubbish building up, according to the council. It says she also failed to let workers in for essential servicing and maintenance.
Dogs seized and a Criminal Behaviour Order last December
Last December, Goodgame was fined £1,000 and given a Criminal Behaviour Order after admitting breaching a Community Protection Notice over her dogs.
Magistrates also made a Forfeit and Seizure Order, allowing officers to take her dogs to an animal welfare centre.
In August last year, neighbours had protested outside her home, saying up to ten dogs were being kept there and the barking was “constant” and “intolerable”.
The council says the problems carried on despite that enforcement action, causing “ongoing anxiety, nuisance and distress” for people living nearby.
‘Eviction is always a last resort’, says housing cabinet member Cllr Michelle Bateman
Cllr Michelle Bateman, the council’s cabinet member for housing, said eviction was always considered a last resort.
She said: “We will take robust action where serious breaches of tenancy agreements continue despite intervention and support being offered.”
She said tenants should be able to enjoy their homes “without fear of nuisance, anti-social behaviour or persistent tenancy breaches”.
Tenants evicted after a possession order may be barred from rejoining the Pembrokeshire Housing Register, and may not be rehoused by the council or its partners, the council says.
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