Leanne Ashton from Beacon Hill should be awarded the local community awards for her specialised service rather than being prosecuted by council because of the complaint of ONE neighbour versus the 23 other neighbours who support her.

Leanne has a home based business who looks after small to medium sized dogs at home. She has a heart of gold and specialises in caring for senior dogs, dogs of women who are leaving abusive relationships and owners who find themselves in palliative care, in hospital or too unwell to take care of their dogs. She only attended the funeral of an owner a few weeks ago and has the dog in her care until she finds him a new home.

Leanne is facing unwarranted scrutiny and complaints from ONE neighbour causing undue distress.  The neighbour surveys and films her on a daily basis.  In the span of 16 years she has maintained positive relationships with 23 other neighbours who fully support her work. They've petitioned in her favour, highlighting the essential role she plays in our community.

This single neighbour's complaints saying Leanne is 'affecting his amenity with barking dogs' have led to Council actions accusing Leanne of running an Animal Behaviourism and Training Centre, an assertion that is incorrect.  This misrepresentation has resulted in devastating repercussions, restricting the dogs' access to the garden and threatening exorbitant fines should she continue to provide her services.  Leanne has been issued with a $3,000 fine with State Debt Recovery due 20 December and have threatened her with a daily fine up to $110,000 if she continues operation for animal boarding.

Leanne's situation has been shared on Facebook and she has had countless comments of support by owners of dogs Leanne has cared for.  

The specialised care she offers, especially for senior dogs and those facing unique challenges is an invaluable community asset.  It should be embraced and commended rather than penalised.  There isn't any other service within the Northern Beaches that offers this level of tailored care for senior dogs.

She has customers that drive for 1.5 hours for her care.

Of course dogs bark when owners drop off and pick up but it's for a moment, not a full day of barking.  They calm after that inital 'who's there?'

She takes them to an enclosed park for small dogs each day then a beach drive before heading home. Once home the dogs relax on the couch listening to classical music. Sleeping dogs don't bark. And they sleep with her on her bed at night. 

Council have also told her that she can no longer advertise her business on social media which is how her customers find her - through the raving fan referrals of her customers.

How can 1 complaining neighbour amongst the 23 other neighbours who support her have impacted Council to make such a devastating and unbalanced conclusion?  Because of the type of care she provides for senior dogs and members of society who are facing terrible odds, this is important community service. This shouldn't be deemed a matter of prosecution. Leanne should instead be nominated for the local Business Awards!

One comment received from Facebook posts speaking of Leanne's undesirable situation said this 

"I was told by a Specialist in Geriatric (Aged Care) that the welfare of a Patient's animal was critical in the healing of the patient. Particularly sufferers of Diabetes & Kidney dialysis. Pet owners suffer immense stress over their animals, & thankfully Leanne often helps out, without payment, these hospitalised elderly owners enormously in the care of their much loved dogs. Leanne is being harassed, spied upon & defamed by a neigbour, on a daily basis, without any legal representation. Councils & neighbours of this nasty kind need to have a heart. Covid was bad enough for the elderly and their pets, so lets get behind her and give her some Christmas cheer."

And a comment on Facebook from a neighbour Sam "I'm one of Leanne's close neighbours and can confirm we've have never had any issues with Leanne or her dog minding business. Our kids love seeing Leanne about with her small dogs and she's always friendly and approachable when we see her. Good luck Leanne with beating this and continuing to provide a valuable service to the community."

And from another customer "That is so heartbreaking, Leanne Ashton has always been such a blessing. Her service has been always so great! I hope you get through this and a miracle happens, we need a lot more small boutique home care services that are so diligently cared for."  And Leanne's reply "Thank you Sez of course I remember your beautiful Senior boy Pepsi with great fondness."

And from Eva "Well said. No one should have to go through this. Leanne provides excellent care like no other and we have also written to council to offer our support."
 
 Sally says "That’s awful and so unfair. Leanne is amazing to the dogs she cares for."

There are countless comments like these supporting Leanne's work on Facebook.

The Northern Beaches has about 75,000 registered dogs between 105,000 households.  And there are XX amount of home based dog boarding business in the Northern Beaches.

If this petition touches your heart, please share it far and wide so that we can get as much support as Leanne desperately needs.  There is no way Leanne could pay that daily $110,000 fine let alone the $3,000 fine due on 20 December.

Important note: many people don't want to put their dogs in kennels. If all Homebased Dog Care were to be closed down on the northen beaches it would be a disaster. Kennels are already at full capacity during holiday time and the environment can be incredibly stressful particularly for a senior dog.