AN elderly couple at Warrington have been told they must either give up their two pet dogs – or give up the rented property where they have lived for more than five years.
Arthur Ollerton, aged 81 and his Bulgarian-born wife Biana, aged 63, have been shocked and angered by the 
ultimatum given them by their landlords, the Golden Gates Housing Trust.
They have taken the matter up with Warrington North MP Helen Jones, their local councillor – Warrington Mayor Cllr John Joyce – and have also consulted a solicitor.
The couple claim they have had the two dogs, a Jack Russell and a cross Yorkshire Terrier, ever since they moved into their first floor flat in Haley Road South, Burtonwood.
They say officials from Golden Gates have known for years that they had the dogs but only acted after a neighbour complained about them barking.
Mrs Ollerton said: “Apparently we have to have permission to keep dogs.
“But nobody told us – and we have not kept them a secret.
“People from Golden Gates have been here many times, have seen the dogs and have never said anything.
“But when a neighbour complained they told us either the dogs had to go, or we had to go.”
Mr Ollerton, who was born in Burtonwood, was formerly a tenant farmer and is a member of a very well known local family.
He says he would leave the flat rather than give up the dogs and would even go to live in Bulgaria rather than give them up.”
Cllr Joyce said: “Mr Ollerton has been to see me and I am looking into the matter.
“I have told him it would be a bit drastic to go off to Bulgaria.”
Peter Mercer, chief executive of Golden Gates Housing Trust, said: “Following representations we have received recently, we will be reviewing the circumstances of this case again.”
Pictured: Mr and Mrs Ollerton with their dogs
Give up your dogs – or your home
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About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
12 Comments
Two issues spring to mind here the first being what sort of council would evict an elderly couple simply because five years ago someone didn’t tick a box. Secondly if the neighbour knows that the couple are to be evicted, are they still pressing their complaint.
As with most stories like this do we have the full facts, such as how many times have they been advised about the Dogs and how many complaints have been made before it came to this and how co-operative with GGH and neighbours have the couple been.
I find it very difficult to believe GGH would threaten eviction straight away, I have dealt with them on many occasions and they will usually try and help before it comes to this.
And without sounding like a jobsworth but it is stated that you must have permision for the dogs, and before somebody mentions all the people with dangerous dogs getting away with keeping them that is why this rule is in place and you can’t have one rule for one and another for pensioners
Four out of five of my nearest neighbours have dogs of various sizes and when one starts yapping they all join in so I have sympathy with this couple’s neighbours.
we have new tennants next to us and have just brought in two staffs!!!!! they use them as symbols only (trying to be hard) all workers for golden gates( not wbc) should inform of any pets or changes on a basic check form. Also dogs should not live in a small flat.
I feel really sorry for the couple as they have two choices… dogs go or they all go. However I do agree fully with what TONY has said I’m sure they can’t be facing eviction after one complaint from a neighbour. With ‘noise’ issues I’m sure the usual course of action is for the noise (in this case barking dogs) to be monitored by officials and then warnings given followed by action if found necessary. That is what happened to the person in the council owned property who had his TV/music on too loud and ignored all the warnings…. he finally got evicted when all else had failed. I hope they get it sorted our though in a way that makes everyone and the dogs happy 🙂
If their tenancy agreement says no pets, then it’s no pets. End of story. If they’ve got away with breaking an agreement – which they voluntarily entered into – for five years then they can count themselves lucky they haven’t been given notice to quit before now.
Tony. True we very often don’t know all the facts behind stories like this but I wouldn’t be so certain about there not being threats of eviction right from the begining. I know this happens having myself been evicted by the coucil without any prior warnings.
Bill, no way will any “Council” or RSL evict without warnings, it costs money to evict and has to go through a court to get the order – no judge would grant an order if other avenues hadn’t been exhausted.
What ever the circumstances, there must be another option, have they been offered to be rehoused to somewhere they can keep the dogs??
They are not being evicted, they are CHOOSING not to comply with their terms of letting.a]just becouse GGH tured a blind eye for 5 years doesnt mean they have to now. especialy if they are causing Nuisance to oyhers who are following the rules
maybe they should focus on getting the drug addicts and dealers out of there properties instead of threatening old people with eviction.
Well said, Parrot!