The plight of a homeless woman who had her dog impounded for a sixth time has tugged at the heart-strings of the Illawarra community this week.
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Wendy Lawrence, 56, was reunited with her beloved Lou-Lou Thursday morning thanks to the generorisity of a pensioner who read about her distress in a Fairfax article.
Ms Lawrence and her sole companion live in the sand-dunes at Wollongong Beach, but Lou-Lou was picked up for a sixth time by Wollongong City Council rangers for not wearing a lead.
Earlier in the week she pleaded for them to give her a break and “pick on somebody else”.
“It’s the same [council rangers] picking her up all the time, over and over and over,” she said
“It’s like we’re on a first name basis now, it’s unbelievable.
“They need to give me a break and go pick on somebody else.”
The pensioner, who wished to remain anonymous, went to the RSPCA Unanderra in person to pay Ms Lawrence’s fine because he “just wanted to see her happy again”.
“If he’s single I’d marry him … he has a good heart for animals like I do,” Ms Lawrence said after learning of the news.
Ms Lawrence said she’s been homeless for over five years but always puts her companion first when it comes to food and warmth, owning several dog jumpers and coats, and even a pair of booties for her.
While Lou-Lou, a Jack Russell-cross, is desexed and microchipped a council spokeswoman said she had been declared a “nuisance dog” for not being on a lead.
“We encourage everyone to keep their dogs on a lead at all times when in public places,” the spokeswoman said.
“This is for the safety of the animal and the community members around them. It’s also a requirement of the State Government’s Companion Animals Act 1998 that dog owners keep their dogs under effective control in public spaces.”
Cheryl Delandre has come to know Ms Lawrence and Lou-Lou over the past six months as the pair often come into her workplace for a cup of tea and a biscuit.
Mrs Delandre said she thinks Ms Lawrence has been ‘’targeted’’ by council rangers, considering the repetitive nature of the enforcements.
“This woman has nothing … [Lou-Lou] does not leave her side, she is not a hindrance to anyone because they both love each other and look after each other,” Mrs Delandre said.
Wollongong councillor Bede Crasnich has accused council rangers of overstepping the mark and said he is inundated with complaints about them.
“You give these people a hi-vis vest and a clipboard and the power rushes directly to their head … it’s not what they’re doing it’s the way they’re doing it,” Mr Crasnich said. “I’ll be calling the general manager ... I want answers.”
The story also brought a lot of compassion from Fairfax readers via social media with many agreeing the situation was “heartbreaking” and “cruel”.
Lou-Lou now has a new blue leash and matching collar so hopefully she won’t be picked up again.