Mrs Schofield’s “dangerous” dog

Story & photo: Sarah Cooper

Sheffield Homes have threatened a resident with eviction, over a Jack Russell dog they have alleged to be ‘dangerous’. Mrs Schofield, a tenant in a ground floor maisonette on Rock Street, was told that Sheffield Homes would be starting the process of eviction, and that her dog would have to be re-homed, after it nipped a cleaner at the maisonettes in August 2010.

The incident happened when the 3 year old dog, Belle, was startled by the cleaner. Mrs Schofield says: “The cleaner had wedged the communal door open with an orange carrier bag full of rubbish. So as I pushed the door to go through it, the cleaner’s come and he’s lunged at the bag.

So whether the dog thought he was going for her or he startled her I don’t know, but all she did was just nip his glove. So he took his glove off… 2 little minute scratches. The following week the same cleaner came, so I said to him, ‘How’s your hand?’ and he said it was fine.”

Mrs Schofield thought nothing more of it until October 2010, when Sheffield Homes staff visited Mrs Schofield at her home – and served her with a Notice Seeking Possession (the start of eviction proceedings). Sheffield Homes explained this was because Mrs Schofield was keeping a dog in the flat, and because the dog was considered to be ‘dangerous or a nuisance’. Mrs Schofield was also told that Belle would have to be re-homed.

“I’ve been here twenty something years”, said a stunned Mrs Schofield. “I came from demolition across on Denholme Close and when I lived across there, I had 3 dogs. The reason I took the flat is because I was told I could bring my dogs.” Mrs Schofield described her meeting with Sheffield Homes: “They just said to me, you’ll have to get rid of the dog. I asked to be re-housed because I’m not going to get rid of her, no way, I’d walk the street first with her.”

But Mrs Schofield’s request to be rehoused, so she can keep Belle with her, has been refused, because of the eviction proceedings. This has left Mrs Schofield, a disabled pensioner, facing eviction from her home of 20 years, with no chance of being offered an alternative property. Neighbours have rallied behind Mrs Schofield, and have signed a statement saying that they do not consider the Jack Russell to be either a nuisance or dangerous. The statement has been given to Sheffield Homes.

The Messenger contacted Sheffield Homes to ask whether it is their usual policy to start an eviction without first giving any warning or caution, and why after 20 years of living in the property with dogs, they have only now decided that Mrs Schofield is in breach of her tenancy for keeping Belle in the flat. The Messenger also asked whether there was any reason, apart from the incident with the cleaner, why Sheffield Homes would consider Belle to be dangerous. Sheffield Homes responded with this statement:

“In view of Sheffield Homes serving a Notice Seeking Possession this has become a legal matter and it would be prejudicial for us to comment. We will be able to comment following any potential legal proceedings.”

The Messenger can report that Belle appears blissfully unaware of the commotion, and seems to be a very happy little Jack Russell. Mrs Schofield however has a battle ahead of her to stay in her home.