We demand that the Selectboard of Williamstown, VT discuss Heidi’s Haven Rescue at their first January 2024 Select Board Meeting, and immediately allocate town resources to effectively reduce noise, animal neglect, and safety concerns at 140 Casino Road (Heidi’s Haven) on behalf of neighboring residents and their domestic animals in accordance with:

• The Dog and Pet Ordinance adopted by Williamstown Board of Selectmen on January 18th, 2016; Section 2: Running at Large and Section 4: Disturbance by Noise.
• The Animal Cruelty Ordinance adopted by Williamstown Board of Selectmen on October 19th, 2006; Cruelty to Animals Act: 4. Deprives any animal of food, water, shelter, rest, medical attention and sanitization.
• The Ordinance Regulating the Control of Solid Waste adopted by the Williamstown Board of Selectmen on October 06, 2014.

We are demanding the Selectboard of Williamstown create a plan work directly with Game Wardens, and other necessary government agencies, to facilitate the legal removal of the animals at 140 Casino Road (Heidi’s Haven Rescue), and the town create and enact ordinances to limit domestic animals held on one property to prevent a similar situation to Heidi’s Haven occurring ever again.

• There is a minimum of 72 animals, and a current estimation of 90 animals, on the property including pigs, chickens, dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs.
• The animals living at Heidi’s Haven have been repetitively deprived of adequate food, shelter, water, medical care, or sanitary living conditions.
  • The pigs currently on the property are malnourished, showing muscle loss, and have a low body condition score,. These pigs are likely to die without immediate intervention.
• The property itself as well as the animals living on it pose public health and safety concerns.
  • Many of the dogs on this property are aggressive, posing a risk to nearby neighbors, livestock, and domestic pets.
  • Communicable diseases such as heartworm, intestinal parasites, respiratory infection, feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus can be spread to other resident animals.
  • Large amounts of solid waste, including animal feces and urine, are entering the soil and water and affecting sources the property touches.
  • Off leash dogs from Heidi’s Haven enter the public road regularly, sometimes in the pursuit of residents walking their leashed dogs.
  • The dogs bark excessively both day and night, causing noise disturbances in the neighborhood.

We demand a public statement made by the Selectboard of Williamstown on their chosen action plan or chose of inaction, on this matter within 60 days following the first January Selectboard meeting.

1. https://williamstownvt.org/wp-content/uploads/2018...

2. Concise Summary of Animal Cruelty Ordinance Town of Williamstown, 2006

3. https://williamstownvt.org/wp-content/uploads/2018...