Concerns have been raised about a huskey re-homing facility amid claims about noise and safety.
A site meeting is in the pipeline in relation to a planning application for the facility lodged by Tyrone Husky Rescue. The planning application was lodged by CD Consulting, Enniskillen, on behalf of the non-profit organisation based in Ballygawley.
The application, which came with a recommendation for approval, was discussed at length at last Tuesday’s (January 7) Planning Committee meeting of Mid Ulster District Council.
The planning application is for a proposed change of use of a stable block, and retention of portal frame buildings for the purpose of re-homing huskies, on lands in the vicinity of 40 Ballynahaye Road, Ballygawley.
The planning report states: “There were at least 14 dogs present on the premises at the time of site inspection. There have been four letters of objection to this proposal from neighbouring dwellings.
“In response to objections, the agent has stated the applicant would not keep any more than 20 dogs at any one time. The agent provided nine letters of support for this proposal.”
The planning report goes on to mention an incident which occurred in November 2024 at the premises: “A volunteer at the site was attacked by a dog, and the emergency services (police, Air Ambulance, ambulance) as well as the council’s dog warden were all in attendance.”
The report continues: “This application proposes to re-use an existing (stable) building. No evidence to support the use of this building in the past as stables has been provided. Provided mitigation measures are implemented, the Environmental Health Department (EHD) would have no objection to this proposal, subject to [the following] conditions: restrict the time dogs can be outside; provision of noise insulation; limit to 16-dog capacity.
“The agent provided a supporting statement which claims the applicant’s case merits an exceptional case, and the service provided by the applicant is essential. The Tyrone Husky Rescue business was started in January 2017 at No. 199 Mullybrannon Road where the applicant used to reside, which is approximately 16 kilometres from this application site.
“There was no permission granted at this location for the use which was undertaken there. The agent has said the applicant’s eviction as a renter from her previous address due to repossession of the property, has resulted in her having to find an alternative location in a short space of time. There is a huge demand to rehouse husky dogs.
“The agent also referred to a letter submitted from a dog warden at Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council who has worked with the applicant and says there is a need for her services. This proposal has been regarded as an exception to policy and because of this, it is considered it is compatible with surrounding land uses in this rural location.
“Although the very nature of this proposal will result in noise produced from dogs barking, EHD are content this application is granted subject to conditions which control the number of dogs on site, restriction on the times dogs can be outside and the provision of noise insulation.”
One objector wrote in response to the planning application: “The huskies’ howling has proved particularly stressful for our mares with foal at foot and for our young stock, one of whom injured himself when he heard their howling and sought to flee.
“The presence of these animals in the area has also forced us to restrict our access to our grazing pastures, as we cannot risk mares injuring themselves when panicked by the sound of what they assume to be predators.
“We can also no longer hack all of our animals on this road to move them to our corral or as part of their training, as their fear passing the huskies can result in them spooking, which places the horse, rider, and any passing traffic in danger. We have already experienced such an incident.”
Another local resident wrote: “There are livestock in all fields surrounding the location, including sheep, lambs, cattle and calves. The constant barking and activity from dogs have already resulted in land owners and farmers in neighbouring fields not being able to put livestock in these locations.
“If the dogs escape there is a very high likelihood that they will chase livestock. Tyrone Husky Rescue have been in situ at this location since March 2022 without planning permission.”
One of the objectors was given an opportunity to air her views at the January 7 Planning Committee meeting.
She stated: “There have been two incidents in relation to the dogs. One where a horse rider was passing the location. The horse was startled by a dog jumping at the boundary, and the rider was thrown off.
“And another was where a sheep in a nearby field was so disorientated from the barking it attempted to flee, got onto the road, and was injured and died from its injuries. On November 1, a male was attacked by and bitten by a dog at the rescue.
“Ambulance personnel, six PSNI officers, a Mid Ulster dog warden and other numerous personnel attended the scene, and the casualty could not be treated for a significant period of time, as the dog was loose in the paddock area and could not be restrained or captured.
“The injured party was also in the kennel and they couldn’t be treated either.
“How many previous incidents or near misses have gone unreported? And what if this dog had escaped beyond the confines of the paddock? It does not bear thinking about what could have happened to either residents or children.
“And what if the injured person had been working alone that day? How would they have had someone to help? That could have been much more serious or fatal.”