Madam,

Readers may be aware of the recent move made by Tai Ceredigion to compel tenants living in only four blocks of flats in Penparcau, Aberystwyth, who are dog owners to rehome their dogs or face being in breach of their tenancy agreements and liable for eviction.

As reported earlier the tenants were given only four weeks from the date of the letter of notification to comply. This move has since extended to those tenants that own cats. Understandably this has caused unimaginable distress upon those that are affected.

That date has now passed and despite numerous representations from tenants and advocates no satisfactory outcome has been achieved and Tai Ceredigion appears to be steadfast in their implementation of this policy which was reproduced in the notifications and can be viewed at http://taiceredigion.cymru/tenant/tenant-handbook-policies/ in Section 7 page 37 and outlines the policy of keeping pets in accommodation that has communal access, stairways and corridors.

I am sure I will not be alone in believing that this action taken by Tai Ceredigion is not only cruel and inhumane but short-sighted and unnecessary.

Pets are not some luxury item that people take the decision to “own”; they are members of the family. In some cases they are the only source of companionship. Loving relationships are built and cherished moments shared. How callous that these bonds should be severed because of policy?

In any case, have Tai Ceredigion even stopped to think about what it takes to rehome a pet or indeed where these people and pets are going to go should they be evicted?

Policy? In this particular instance there is a consensus that when tenancies were signed off by officers this was done in the full knowledge and acceptance that the tenant had a pet or pets. The policy was there but it would seem some decency and discretion was afforded to the tenant. Tenants and their pets coexisted quite peacefully until 10 January this year.

People are literally being given an ultimatum: your pet or your home.

It is noteworthy that this action has thus far only been targeted at these four specific blocks of flats in Penparcau and that no other tenant in any other similar accommodation anywhere else in the county has been served with such a notice.

I would call on Tai Ceredigion to review their decision and urge them to reconsider this draconian action as it would cause harm and despair to many people, and the social implications are too many to list here.

Yours etc,

Simon Betts, Ceredigion People’s Assembly, Penparcau, Aberystwyth.

Have your say on the local issues affecting you - email [email protected] or join in the conversation on our Facebook page