The Council heard a public meeting on a Zoning By-law Amendment for the property at 2249 Foresters Falls Road, which was looking for an amendment in order to apply for a kennel on the property.
Councillor Olmstead had a declaration of “support of the application as a business owner” and left the room.
The application was to permit the use of a kennel on 2249 Foresters Falls Road.
“At the time of the writing of this reports we had 124 comments, there was a petition with 109 signatures, and 20 general comments not referring to either.” CAO Ivan Burton said before the public presentations begun. “Animal welfare was one of the main points, risk to the health and safety.”
“We do have with us tonight Mr. McBain who represents the Health and Services.” he said. “Jim has brought forth better general changes to the animal control bylaw to be better for applications like this.”
“No recommendation from the staff here.”
“People who do wish to speak, you are being recorded, keep a level of decorum, pretend there are kids in the audience.” Mayor Nicholson said as well.
Margaret Maloney, retired owner of River Run rafting and local of Dicburner road, said that she “noticed a lot of people who are from away” who are building homes in the area.
She expressed concern that the kennel would detract from local property values and provide health and safety concerns.
“Why would anyone want to willingly live near a puppy mill or a kennel? Would anyone here want that for themselves?” she said. “There area number of unlicensed kennels operating in the area. We need rules and we need guidelines to deal with puppy mills or kennels.”
There were clapping in the audience.
Dave Alexander of Forester’s Falls Road said he ‘strongly opposed this amendment’.
He said the kennel in question has already been operating unlicensed for years from the property, and that he “could not enjoy their porch” due to dogs barking “all hours
He said that dog excrement was a leading source of ‘parasites and E.coli’, and outlined his opposition in regards to health concerns as well as the merit of the application and the size requested setback.
He also indicated numerous incidents had occurred with the property
“We are aware of at least four instances where police cars up to four police cars attended the property. The police would not tell us the reason for their attendance.”
“This issue was brought to the attention of Council in July, and no direct action has been taken up until now. It appears that the action taken by the council is to try to bring the offender into compliance before having the offender adhere to the bylaws.”
He also requested that the Council pass a bylaw giving greater guildelines for kennels and concrete requirements for kennels to be inspected.
Lisa Kendall of Doran Road said she worked in dog rescue and animal advocacy, opposed the kennel on concerns for the care and health of the dogs.
“This mill has been on our radar for a long time.” she said. “This mill had been brought to the attention many many times.”
“if this variance is allowed, it is disgraceful. I can’t even imagine why a municipality would want to be known as the most laxin animal welfare in the country.” she said, which prompted clapping from the audience.
She said that other puppy mills have moved to the Whitewater Region because “there are no bylaws to protect the animals.”
She said the property in the application had no electricity or water, but was corrected that there was electricity.
“The reputation Whitewater Region has developed within the puppy mill industry is that this is the place to be.” She said. “I would love for Council to explain at what point they developed the ability to provide the insight and oversight of a kennel and protecting the animals, when it has not happened to this point despite the council’s awareness of this situation.”
“The reputation that whitewater has developed within the puppy mill industry is that it’s the place to be. And I think that it’s shameful that council would accept or want that instead of wanting to be the municipality that is setting the bar so high that the rest of the province.”
“I’ve been trying to shut the Huberts down for 20 years. In my dog rescue, I clean up the mess. To think this tiny town is competing with southern Ontario for the puppy mill industry is disgraceful.”
She said she had “an entire website dedicated to this unscrupulous business” and claimed there was a ‘criminal investigation that was completely unrelated” to the operation of the kennel.
“Shut it down.”
Lynne Oshelski claimed the owner “gave her a single mom discount and constantly asked her out on dates” and said she took the pictures of the conditions.
She said she took pictures of the place.
“The condition of this place was disgusting, all he did was brag about how much money he made on the dogs.”
“I am terrified of this gentlemen of having anymore animals.” she said.
The applicant responded to her at this point, but the Mayor reminded him that there “were no other comments from the public at this time.”
He also warned her not to discuss personal or legal matters with the applicant and to focus on the issues regarding the property itself.
“I don’t want to get into application between you and the applicant and the police, so keep your comments.” Mayor Nicholson interrupted.
She said she “doesn’t understand why you would accept and application from someone with a criminal record.
“This is not a business.”
She said she would not record her address as “the applicant has come after me before.”
Dwayne Horst, who lived on Government Road and owned the local business there, said that the Forester’s Falls region “consisted of rural people who have chosen to live in a rural, farming community, and we can be a great community if we all take consideration of each other.”
Shelley Addison said she ‘had no first-hand knowledge of this kennel that has been proposed, but I have been involved in animal care my entire adult life.”
“I beseech you to please do not issue more kennel licenses without updating your bylaws.” she said. “There are so many animals that are badly mistreated. You need only look on the Internet, go on Kijijji to see the ads that issue from this Township on animal breeding.”
She said that they were offering to deliver animals during pandemic lockdowns.
The applicant, Tim Hubert, spoke next.
“I’ve listened to everyone’s comment, I’d do anything to help you out. There’s a lot of mistruths here.” he said.
Mayor Nicholson had to interrupt as he attempted to respond directly to Dave Alexander regarding his comments, informing him that he was to address council.
“There is a vet comes to the property every week. He’s well experienced, he’s worked in Barry’s Bay in Carleton Place and in Pembroke. He tells me what to do, and he’s not shy.”
He also said that the police cars mentioned by mr. Alexander were for his protection, and also animal welfare came in to measure “ammonia of in the air.”
He said he taught himself artificial insemination in order to breed dogs himself and that he has demand from across Canada for dogs.
“This is what people are wanting. I don’t do this because people don’t want my dogs. I’ve sold dogs as far from Newfoundland to Gander.”
“I never wanted to wash dogs but I was told I had to do it, so I did it. I do have electricity and I do have water. Dogs cannot produce milk without water. There is ventilation, there his heat. The pictures out there are covered in brown. The reason these are brown is that these are peat moss. Peat moss is brown, it absorbs the ammonia and the pee. Putting out sawdust is like putting out 2x4s and saying “absorb the pee”. I use cleansers such as Pinesol and Mr. Clean. Someone mentioned E.coli and I. I watch my containers in Javex. It’s strong enough to kill the E.coli. Every animal has a bowl and if it gets dirty, it gets clean. I do adhere to veterinarians, I go for the latest things I can do, I see the dogs get exercise, I talk to the dogs.”
“Is there anything you want to say specific to the application?” Mayor Nicholson asked Hubert.
“well, I think it should go ahead. We need places that are inspects and we know where the dogs are coming from. I tried to get this, my dad tried to get this. We were told that it was impossible to get a kennel license here because we’re too close to a gravel pit here. We should have our own kennels in Whitewater Region too.”
“I’ve been bashed around by Facebook.” he said. “Connie Tabbert, thank you for bashing me.”
Mayor Nichoson asked Councillor Tabbert to refrain from comment as she responded..
“A lot of things Mr. Alexander said are just inflammation. I can’t see the property values going down.
Mayor Nicholson cut off Mr. Hubert at this point, and said that he was the last presenter, and that they could accept points in writing from then.
“If we approve this, are we approving a kennel as well, or the opportunity to have a kennel.” Connie Tabbert “And there is no kennel now?”
“There is no kennel license for it at this time; the point being that there are dogs there now.” Mayor Nicholson said.
The motion was passed.
“Just to be clear, the recommendation was to receive the report and the public comment. At this point the staff will go on and make a recommendation . It will either be the next council meeting or one after that.” Mayor Nicholson said.
“Any decisions on this will be public.” Councillor Trimm said. “We just want to have all the information.”
