Photo: Web of Life Animal Outreach

One of the animals up for adoption at Web of Life Animal Outreach

CHESAPEAKE (AP) -- An animal sanctuary in rural Chesapeake is facing a court battle over a complaint its barking dogs constitute a public nuisance.

An upset neighbor lodged the complaint last month against Web of Life Animal Outreach. The nonprofit, no-kill sanctuary was established nearly three years ago.

The rescue has carried out 540 animal adoptions since opening, but fears the complaint could derail their mission. The sanctuary is caring for horses, goats, rabbits, birds, dogs, cats, chinchillas, gerbils, emus, a baby deer and a pig. It also provides long-term military pet boarding.

Director Jacqueline Van Horn is to appear in court on Oct. 28 to defend against the misdemeanor charge. If the group loses, it could have to remove, confine or euthanize the dogs.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)   

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