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Accessory apartment revocation hearing for Wyandanch resident put on reserve after board cites repeated dog complaints
Summary
The Town of Babylon Accessory Apartment Review Board held a revocation hearing for Charmaine Lavelle of 101 South 30th Street, Wyandanch, after town inspectors and neighbors reported multiple complaints about dogs, possible breeding and selling. The board put the matter on reserve for further discussion.
The Town of Babylon Accessory Apartment Review Board held a revocation hearing for Charmaine Lavelle, a resident at 101 South 30th Street in Wyandanch, after town inspectors and neighbors reported repeated complaints about dogs at the property; the board reserved its decision after hearing testimony.
The hearing focused on allegations that Lavelle’s property violated town code limiting the number of dogs allowed at a single residence. Board counsel cited inspections and complaint dates beginning Jan. 2, 2024, and continuing through Sept. 19, Oct. 18 and Nov. 22, 2024, and alleged the presence of more than four dogs, possible breeding and the sale or boarding of animals at the address.
At the podium, Charmaine Lavelle pleaded not guilty and told the board the dogs observed by inspectors were visiting animals owned by her children, who live in Brooklyn. Lavelle said she holds town licenses for three dogs that live with her year-round and provided copies of those licenses to the board. She said other dogs had been on the property while family members visited and that one of the visiting dogs recently had a litter while in her care.
Board members and counsel described the complaints as including dogs seen “eating from garbage bags,” dogs observed in the yard in groups, reports of excessive barking, and claims by a complainant that an occupant had offered dogs “for sale.” Lavelle denied selling animals and said a son made an offhand remark about selling when he was frustrated because visiting dogs had not been picked up promptly.
Board members asked whether visiting dogs were licensed and whether animals were contained. Lavelle said her household dogs were house dogs let outside a few times a day and that she had given paperwork to a tenant so the tenant could obtain a license for the tenant’s dog. She said two of her children had stayed at the house temporarily but no longer live there.
After questions from board members, a motion was made to put the revocation matter on reserve for further consideration; the board approved the motion by voice vote. The chair told Lavelle the permit remains at risk and emphasized that all dogs on the property must be licensed and secured.
The board did not resolve the revocation at the hearing; members said they would discuss the matter further and notify Lavelle of their findings.
