New Zoning forcing out shelter dogs

By intent, Sabbath Memorial Rescue Center is hard to find -- until you're close enough to follow the noise and soon, your nose. About 130 dogs live there, on part of a nine-acre mamey grove edging the Everglades. A few wander freely, minimally curious about visitors; most occupy runs, sheds or lean-tos. It's muddy and makeshift, but for the strays and castoffs that otherwise might die on the street -- or at the Miami-Dade County Animal Services shelter -- it's a sanctuary.

But not for much longer. Rescue operator Robbie Coy is being evicted because the property is zoned agricultural/residential -- fine for farm animals but not for more than eight dogs. CJM Investment Group, Inc., which owns the land, rents to Coy for $450 a month. For him to stay, principal investor Miguel Chamah, a family doctor, would have to seek an ``unusual classification variance.''

Chamah doesn't want to. The process is expensive and complicated, involving public hearings, government red tape and the loss of his agricultural tax exemption. Instead, he has told Coy -- along with Buzzy, Teddy Bear, Cisco, Zeus, Jewel, Duchess, Sampson, Joey and the rest -- to leave by Aug. 31.

Coy doesn't blame his landlord, but wants an extension, which lawyers on both side are negotiating. CJM's attorney, Peter Abesada, said his client ``is willing to do any reasonable thing to safeguard the welfare of the animals.'' Still, ``we have no alternative than to proceed with an eviction or face severe civil penalties.''

 

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