Dog-lovers living in high-rise flats are facing eviction if they refuse to get rid of their pets after being given an ultimatum by Bradford Council.

Pet owners were left angry after receiving letters from the Council demanding they re-home their dogs within seven days, or face a Notice of Possession.

Now two of the residents have vowed to fight to keep their pets.

The Council claims residents are "hiding" their pets and have sent letters out to 12 dog owners in Waryn, Ailsa, Thorold and Gerard flats on Bradford's Thorpe Edge estate after complaints were received from other tenants.

The pet owners say they are prepared to face court proceedings rather than let their beloved pets go.

"This is depriving people of their human rights and I'll fight this all the way to the European courts if I have to," said 52-year-old Barry Rigby, who has had his pet dog, Sally, for the four years he's lived in Ailsa House.

"I was fuming when the letter came through. Sally's never been a nuisance to anyone at all.

"I've got coronary heart disease and am house-bound. Sally is company for me and I'd hate to see her go."

Dog owner Sandra Reay, 52, who has had her dog Toby since she moved into Ailsa house two years ago, said: "This is like a death sentence. People will be forced to give their dogs to the RSPCA or even have them put down if they can't find new homes for them.

"My flat's on the ground floor and I was told when I moved in that, because I didn't have a communal door, I would be able to keep my dog.

The ultimatum comes after complaints from residents about the noise and mess made by the dogs. One resident, who refused to be named, said: "It's become a bit of a problem round here with dogs fouling in the lifts and on the stairs - it's filthy.

"People are also concerned about the noise the dogs make barking."

The tenant said a meeting of residents decided no new dogs should be brought into the flats, and those already there should not be replaced.

Bradford Council's housing committee chairman Councillor Jim O'Neill said that the "no dogs" rule was a long standing arrangement and had been written into the tenancy agreement at the request of the Tenants' Federation. He said: "I'm not aware that people in ground floor flats should be able to keep dogs - everybody living in high rise flats should abide by this agreement."

A Bradford Council housing spokesman added: "In three cases the owners have made alternative arrangements, but we know some people are hiding dogs. We are now taking steps to trace these."

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