The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Kennel boss’s ‘hatred’ claim
THE OWNER of Langdyke Boarding Kennels near Kennoway claims she has suffered “vicious and depraved” abuse from so-called “trolls” on Facebook and the internet.
Sylvia Pass, 62, who has run the kennels for 11 years, says she has been “falsely branded an animal abuser who mistreated animals”.
She said an internet petition was posted by an individual making “totally false hurtful allegations completely without foundation.” This, she said, had damaged her reputation and “reduced her business by 50%”.
She said: “The individual concerned was inciting hatred against me. He wasn’t just targeting me, he was also dragging my employees and family into it as well and placing us in danger of attacks from animal rights extremists.”
Ms Pass, a widow, said she is now considering legal action to have an internet site taken down.
Having written to various politicians, including the Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill, and employing the services of a legal team, she has this week raised her concerns in a letter to Police Scotland Chief Constable Sir Stephen House, as she said she is “frustrated by a lack of interest from the then Fife Police.”
She added: “The harassment I am suffering is a criminal offence and we have the legislation to protect us, but what’s missing is the enforcement. This is where the system is failing us. People have committed suicide over this type of abuse; I considered suicide myself but thankfully I received support from my family and friends in very dark times.”
Levenmouth area Chief Inspector Graeme Kinmond said: “We have had a number of meetings and dealings with Sylvia Pass and are fully aware of the issues she has raised, which have been the subject of detailed investigation.
“Police Scotland is currently investigating certain criminal matters; however, as these inquiries are still ongoing I am unable to provide further details at this time.”
Don Taylor, public protection officer with Fife Council, said: “We can confirm that the owner of Langdykes Boarding Kennels holds a valid licence to operate boarding kennels. We would not wish to comment on allegations made towards Langdykes Boarding Kennels due to an ongoing police investigation.”