I was forced to tear down my 3ft picket fence when ONE neighbour complained…now my dog's at risk | The Sun
A WOMAN who was forced to tear down her 3ft picket fence when one neighbour complained has told her dog is now at risk.
Margaret Hale put the tiny fence up to protect her dog Benji from escaping her bungalow in Bracknell, Berkshire.
Margaret, 72, was left devastated when a "rude" council officer told her she had to demolish the three-foot picket fence.
Mrs Hale told MailOnline: "My husband and I put it up about four years ago.
"We did it for safety, so the dog cannot get out."
But a few months ago, a Bracknell Forest Council worker visited her home and said someone had reported her for having the fence.
The pensioner was told she was violating planning laws and was threatened to demolish the fence or pay a £1,000 fine.
Since tearing up the fence, she claimed other dogs have defecated on her garden.
She fumed: "Now I am picking up the poo from everybody else's dogs.
"Apparently this piece of ground here is for amenities. But I said, we are keeping it nice.
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"I said to the man, 'I am looking after your piece of grass here."
The retired school cleaner is now slamming the council because other neighbours have been allowed to keep their fences.
However, Mrs Hale said she forgives the neighbour who issued the complain.
She said: "Whoever this lady or man is, God forgive her. Because I do, I forgive her."
Other neighbours have now started a petition urging the council to reconsider the decision.
They said: "Fences contribute positively to property values by enhancing curb appeal and providing privacy.
"Fences act as physical barriers against potential intruders or unwanted animals and well-maintained fences improve neighbourhood aesthetics and create a sense of pride to the residents.
"Considering these facts alongside my personal experience living near the fence for several years, I firmly believe that removing it would be detrimental to residents."
Pleased by her neighbours' support, Msr Hale said: "We are a little community here and we are the eldest in this little group, so everybody comes to us, we look after their dogs."
Bracknell Forest Council has been approached for comment.
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It comes as a dad who bought a six-foot privacy fence to protect his kids now faces having to tear it down after his neighbours objected.
Jamie Risk retrospectively applied for planning permission after putting up a garden fence to provide "greater privacy and security" and to stop headlights from waking up his children.
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