CONVICTED (2016) | hoarders David Govan, born 19/11/1950, and wife Marilyn Govan, born 03/09/1953, of Windmill Close, Bassingbourn, Royston SG8 5FJ – prosecuted for antisocial behaviour relating to their 38 dogs.
The council had received regular complaints from neighbours of antisocial behaviour relating to the Govans’ dogs howling and barking, the smell of faeces, and dogs escaping from the property. In total, the couple kept 38 dogs of various breeds at their former property in Hay Green, Royston.
The local authority gave the couple two months to reduce the noise by reducing the number of dogs on the property.
Mrs Govan contacted the council to express displeasure with the way the couple had been treated, and informing officials that they wouldn’t reduce the amount of dogs at the property.
After a second order found the noise levels were still too high, the dogs were then seized from the home by the RSPCA and the police.
The raid was prompted after a neighbour raised concerns about the welfare of the animals.
The council also made an application for a Criminal Behaviour Order against the couple, preventing them from having more than three dogs at the property, having any female dogs on any of the land comprising their property, and allowing dogs to bark, howl, yap or whine, whilst also being required to collect, bag and bin any faeces attributed to their dogs.
As far as we know the couple, who have sold the Hay Green property and moved into nearby Windmill Close, still have custody of the dogs.
Sentence: total fines and costs of £18,249.00.
Newslink:
The Sun
Have never lived at windmill close, dogs cost rspca £45,000 to kennel for 3 months and pleaded to return them to us as cost was crippling their financial budget. Court fine was substantially reduced on appeal all animals in good health,and for us, pets .the legal process involving the rspca is in some cases money orientated ie. Seeking substantial costs over and above their true outlay as in our case. They came unstuck this time!! The rspca are at the forefront of prosecutions to enable fund raising , check out the salaries of their ceo,s and ask yourself how any charity can justify the pay remunerations of these insidious individuals