Queen Creek Arizona dog shelter ordered to close

[SargeUNN]

Source: Arizona Republic


Queen Creek Town Council's vote to force a dog shelter out of business at its current location could mean a death sentence for some of the animals, the facility's owner said.

"We're scrambling to find them homes," said Sheila Iyengar, owner of Reservation Rewards Animal Rescue, which she runs from her new home near the corner of Sossaman and Chandler Heights roads.


The relocation effort could take months, but Iyengar faces a possible misdemeanor charge and fines of up to $2,500 per day if she doesn't comply by Oct. 11 with a town order to shut down.

Iyengar, who operated for six months without a permit, said she may have to euthanize some of her 12 dogs, many of which have physical handicaps or other ailments that limit their chances of finding families. "It's devastating to have to think about it," she said.

The council voted 6-1 at its Sept. 1 meeting to deny the 36-year-old woman a conditional-use permit for the shelter and a related business called Lotus Dog Training & Boarding. Revenue from the training and boarding operations paid the shelter's costs and supported Iyengar and her small staff.

"Not only is it a death sentence for the dogs, but I'm going to lose my house and my livelihood," she said.

The topic roused passionate debate among council members and the public, but in the end, only Councilman Craig Barnes voted in Iyengar's favor.

Council members praised Iyengar for her efforts to save dogs but criticized her for not getting the permit before buying the property and investing thousands of dollars.

They called the shelter and boarding center inappropriate in a residential-neighborhood setting. Others said approving the permit would give Iyengar an unfair advantage over businesses in commercial areas that have to pay sales taxes.

Barnes said he stands behind the council's decision but pointed out that many residents operate businesses from their homes. He said he doubts Iyengar's dogs would disrupt neighbors much.

"I think this was a molehill that was turned into a mountain," he said.

Iyengar said she knew she needed a permit, but town staff told her that she could apply for it after starting her business.

"They had told me, 'Don't worry about it. You can move on in there. You can apply for the conditional-use permit later on' (and) that it wasn't 'a big deal,' " she said. "I got green lights everywhere."



Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/community/pinal/articles/2010/09/10/20100910queen-creek-animal-shelter-closing.html#ixzz0z97TBXgj

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/community/pinal/articles/2010/09/10/20100910queen-creek-animal-shelter-closing.html