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County To Let Resident Keep Animal Shelter

Tribune photo by ANDY JONES

Sue Lambert opened Community Animal Rescue and Education Shelter last fall. She holds a rescue license from Pasco Animal Services.

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By KEVIN WIATROWSKI

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 14, 2008

ODESSA - A divided planning commission gave animal rescuer Sue Lambert permission to house as many as 25 dogs on her property off Altamont Lane despite the objections of neighbors who say Lambert's operation is a nuisance.

Planning commissioners voted 5-3 in Lambert's favor. They also limited her operation to 25 dogs, including puppies. County policy typically exempts puppies as old as four months from the headcount of a kennel.

Lambert's neighbors can appeal the decision to county commissioners. It was unclear Wednesday whether they will do so.

"I need to talk to my legal counsel," Craig Oakes said.

Oakes lives behind Lambert's 5 acres on Jam Lane. Oakes told commissioners nighttime barking by Lambert's dogs disturbs his family.

"It's never-ending," Oakes said.

Lambert opened Community Animal Rescue and Education Shelter last fall. She holds a rescue license from Pasco Animal Services.

Among Lambert's supporters was Tampa resident Patty Kampsen.

Kampsen recently adopted a dog from Lambert. She offered to erect a building to house dogs as a way of appeasing the neighbors, a compromise presented by Planning Commissioner Calvin Branche.

Ultimately, planning commissioners didn't force Lambert to add a building to her property. They did make her subject to county noise ordinances that ban dog owners from letting their animals bark at night.

Animal Services supervisor Kevin Mallory noted the noise rules can be difficult to enforce, particularly at night.

Reporter Kevin Wiatrowski can be reached at (813) 948-4201 or kwiatrowski@tampatrib.com.

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