Homeowners fight new kennel location

The owner of a Pocatello pet kennel wants to change locations, but where the business might be headed is giving neighbors pause.

The Pocatello Pet Lodge is asking City Council for a zoning variance to move from its current location on Yellowstone Avenue to a vacant building at the corner of Pole Line Road and Nixon Road.

“I just think it’s too close to the neighborhood,” said David Nelson, who lives several houses down from the proposed site.

The Pet Lodge would house anywhere from 40 to 80 dogs, but neighbors are worried about the noise that could bring.

“The barking is going to be absolutely unbelievable,” said Linette Chavis.

Chavis has started a petition asking the city to deny the Pet Lodge’s plans.

“There is 90 percent of the neighborhood that’s against it,” said Chavis.

David Ross owns the duplex right next door to the site. He said the Pet Lodge would be only 26 feet from his tenants’ front doors.

“Single parents live in this building and I’m concerned about the children,” said Ross.

Stephanie Adams, who owns the Pet Lodge, tells Local News 8 there would be maximum of 10 dogs outside at a time and that they would be supervised in an enclosed area.

“They’re outside, but they’re never unattended,” said Adams.

But some neighbors continue to voice concerns about potential smells.

“My biggest concern is the defecation and the urine that the dog produces,” said Ross.

“Especially as it rains, it’s going come down all through here and go through the neighborhood,” said Chavis.

But Adams said the Pet Lodge won’t let that happen.

“We clean up after the dogs after every group. We deodorize the yard twice a week,” said Adams.

Pocatello City Council will hold a public hearing on this issue at 6 p.m. Thursday at City Hall.