The issue surrounding the seized sheepdogs Max and Rex has cost De Wolden a lot of money. The amount is now 46,000 euros, according to documents that the municipality has made public.
The two animals were confiscated a year and a half ago for biting five sheep, two of which did not survive. The dogs have been staying at a secret address for some time since then. According to the municipality, this cost 15,000 euros.
Mayor Inge Nieuwenhuizen decided earlier this year to release the dogs. They are now back with owner Jane Bijmholt in Echten.
During the period that the dogs stayed at a different location, there have been several lawsuits between Bijmholt and the municipality. That cost De Wolden about 31,000 euros. This is partly due to a lack of staff at the municipality. That is why the help of a law firm was called in and expenses continued to rise.
The court recently ruled that former mayor Roger de Groot abused his powers of command. Seizure could only have been done immediately during the biting incident or when an immediate threat would arise. He only intervened two weeks later and that is not possible. Current mayor Inge Nieuwenhuizen said he did not agree with that statement. The municipality decided to appeal to the Council of State. As a result, the costs can rise further, because the municipality continues to use external lawyers.
Bijmholt received a request for mediation from De Wolden, but she declined. De Wolden has indicated that he will continue the appeal. The municipality wants more clarity about the fact that the court states that the minor power of command that a mayor has has been abused. The release of the dogs does not play a role in the appeal.