WASHINGTON – The operator of a a Virginia dog kennel, Canis Maximus, claims she was defamed by a local humane organization and has filed a $1.3 million lawsuit.
Irina Barrett of Broad Run alleges that Hilleary Bogley, the Fauquier County court-appointed humane inspector and operator of the Middleburg Humane Foundation, defamed her in a report that detailed the conditions at Barrett’s Broad Run property.
Fauquiernow.com reports Barrett also claims that Bogley mislead her about the placement of the dogs that Barrett surrendered. The suit alleges Bogley had a financial motive for getting Barrett to surrender her dogs and that Bogley failed to disclose that the Middleburg Humane Foundation charges an adoption fee.
The suit suggests Middleburg Humane Foundation got Barrett to surrender her dogs at no charge and that they were in effect “resold” when placed in new homes.
Barrett has been cited for operating a kennel without a license, which is in violation of county regulations. After a hearing in which neighbors complained of noise and that she was running a puppy mill, Barrett withdrew her application for a special zoning permit for the kennel.
She’s since resubmitted an application with the zoning board and that case will be heard June 6.
WTOP reached Bogley by telephone. She said she had no comment on the lawsuit.
The full text of Barrett’s lawsuit can be read below:
Barrett Lawsuit by Fauquier Now
