Craigieburn family devastated at prospect of losing ageing samoyeds

A kind-hearted Craigieburn couple thought they were doing the right thing when they adopted two stressed and sick samoyeds. But now they face their canine family being ripped apart thanks to a bylaw their council won’t budge on.

Craigieburn's Atelia Watkins with her six samoyeds Rusty, Scooter, Leon, Snuggles, Tanja and Cuddles.

A Craigieburn couple is asking Hume Council to show “compassion” with fears two of their beloved ageing pets won’t survive a separation after they were told to give them up by Friday.

However, the council says while it understands the bond between pets and their owners, it must uphold local laws.

Atelia and Bruce Watkins sought a permit in 2010 to breed samoyeds and were also granted permission by Hume Council to own and register four dogs.

But their family of four fluffy white pooches swelled to six as they adopted two more, Rusty and Leon, now both aged 10.

Now, they have been ordered to find new homes for two of their six pooches.

An online petition asking the council to allow the family to stay together has already gathered more than 1200 signatures.

“We sold one of the litter, Rusty, to my father-in-law,” Ms Watkins said.

“When my father-in-law died we tried to rehome Rusty, but he developed anxiety issues.”

Ms Watkins said they brought the dog home where he happily settled with the rest of the pack, aged between 10 to 12.

Then a friend asked them to find a home for another dog, Leon, but Ms Watkins said his medical conditions made it too difficult.

So the Watkins’ kept looking after him.

The Watkins' dogs at the 2016 Mickleham Christmas lights. From left to right, back row: Rusty, Scooter. Front row: Cuddles, Leon, Tanja and Snuggles.

A letter from a Craigieburn vet, seen by Leader, lists Leon’s treatments including monthly arthritis injections and an upcoming surgery.

The vet states rehoming Leon would be unsuitable and may result in the dog being euthanised.

Ms Watkins has asked for another permit, but council laws don’t let people keep more than four dogs under the Multiple Animal Permit.

Atelia Watkins and her dogs in happier times.

The council’s corporate services director Daryl Whitfort said their records showed only four dogs were registered to the property.

“An investigation found, in fact, that there were six dogs on the property — two of them were unregistered,” Mr Whitford said.

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“While it is unfortunate if any distress is caused, council must enforce the local laws in a consistent manner across the municipality.

“This means the dogs exceeding the permit allocation for a property are required to be removed.”

Ms Watkins said it would “rip” them apart to see the dogs suffer.

“It is so cruel to put a dog through this,” she said.

“All we are asking for is a little compassion.”