PLEASANT GROVE-- Sue Fox believes her 2-acre farm, located in the middle of a Pleasant Grove residential neighborhood, is a sanctuary for stray and unwanted animals who need love, food and shelter.
But Pleasant Grove officials, including police officers who went in this week armed with nets and cages to round up more than 1,600 ducks, cats and chickens, say it's a health hazard and a serious danger to the community's water.Bacteria tests have already shown that when Fox floods her property in the spring, the run-off is full of pathogens that go directly into Pleasant Grove's storm drainage system.
Utah County Health inspector Bonnie Snow is concerned about the potential for hantavirus because old food is stored everywhere and droppings indicate the mice are enjoying a free feed.
Neighbors have repeatedly complained about the noise and the smell at at 515 E. 200 South. Sue Fox calls it the "Fox Haven Farm."
"It's really too bad because she's a nice lady," said a next-door neighbor. "But it's just a mess."
"She has a good heart, but she doesn't really want to follow the rules," said Pleasant Grove Police Capt. Cody Cullimore. "This is something we've been battling for 19 years. We're not going to
allow it to go on."
Cullimore said Fox, 55, was charged with five counts of animal-at-large violations last summer and convicted of those charges in November 1999.
On Jan. 18, Pleasant Grove Justice Brent Bullock ordered most of the animals to be cleared from the property.
Fox can keep the 51 she chooses.
"If we made her meet today's ordinance, she could keep two cats and two dogs," Cullimore said. "We've compromised at 51 because that's what the 1963 ordinance would allow and she is claiming she's been here since the 1960s."
Animal control officer Jim Taufer said he's counted up to 1,800 animals including 300 cats, numerous rabbits, 500 ducks, 800 chickens, a pig and a pair of goats.
"We're basically amazed," said Cullimore. "There are lots more than she showed us."
Six officers who came in Tuesday collected 200 chickens and roosters. Twenty men came back Wednesday and expect to be at the task throughout the week.
"And that's just to collect the animals. I'm not talking about how long the clean-up will take," Cullimore said.
Fox's daughter, Valerie, and foster daughter, Sirena Jones, say the roundup is brutal, killing animals they love and threatening Fox's health.
"They piled the chickens on top of each other yesterday. They've caught and strangulated them in the nets," said Valerie Fox. "They killed 17."
"Sue sits up and cries all night long. This will kill her. It doesn't make any sense," said Jones. "I can understand the problem with the chickens. They fly up in the trees, and with the rabbits, they dig holes and get out. But the cats, they don't do anything."
Fox says she has homes arranged for the pets but hasn't been given enough time to arrange transportation. She also wants to appeal the court decision but does not have an attorney.
"Sue can understand that this has gotten out of control," Jones said. "She was surprised that the rabbits multiply as fast as they do. But people don't believe her. A lot of animals just get dumped on her."
Snow insists that officers picking up animals wear protective gear and gloves and ordered spraying after she did a cursory inspection of the sheds and pens.
She said the chasing is stirring up dust that can easily transport the hantavirus, which is an airborne virus.
"I'm concerned for everyone. The officers are at risk. The little girls who live here are at risk. The neighbors are at some risk," Snow said. "Cleanup needs to happen. Right now, we'll focus on just removing the animals."
Mayor Ed Sanderson said he had no idea the city would be dealing with cats and with the number of animals they've found. He said Fox is liable for the cleanup and relocation costs, but Cullimore said he doubts she could pay them.
"We're not trying to be mean," said Taufer.