Story & Photo: Brent Moya
Sheffield Homes have found themselves under fire after they refused an elderly man permission to keep his dog.
Mr Barry Ashmore of Margate Drive has been threatened with eviction should he not comply with the demands of Sheffield Homes.
A letter sent on 28th April demanded he remove his dog because “neighbours did not agree with him keeping it”. They laid down an ultimatum ordering the pet be re-homed in 21 days or he would face eviction.
I met with a clearly distressed Mr Ashmore, who was quick to point out his reasons for having a dog.
“I’ve been burgled before and I don’t feel safe anymore. I just couldn’t live without him, he’s my companion.”
Having lived on the estate for the last 8 years with his dog, Ginger, a Cross ‘Heinz 57’, Mr Ashmore would find it hard to say goodbye.
“That dog makes me feel safe at night, I’m an elderly man who hasn’t got much, so why are they doing this to me?”
His son Neil is equally upset by what he has witnessed, “I’m disgusted, what’s going to happen to the dog? It comes to something when they target good citizens like my dad. This is affecting him so much it could kill him.”
Mr Ashmore, who is registered as disabled, relies on his pet for peace of mind, “I can’t get around too easily and he provides company as well as bringing me things like the paper.” He hopes the Sheffield homes will see sense and hand him a reprieve.
Sheffield Homes told the Messenger:
“Mr Ashmore is breaching his tenancy conditions by keeping a dog in a block of flats without permission. We have written to all the tenants in his block to ask if they are happy for the dog to remain there, and are still awaiting their replies. We are aware that the dog is extremely important to Mr Ashmore and do not want to cause him any distress, so we will be visiting everybody in the block to get their views before deciding to take any further action.”