By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
EMBATTLED Springvale sheep owner Vu Ho has new cause to worry for his pet Baa’s worsening health.
Last Monday, Mr Ho discovered a tumour had re-emerged on Baa’s right shoulder – in the same place as a cancer was removed several months ago.
“She is still going. But in the past few days, we discovered a new lump and she has been a bit weaker.
“She can walk around but it’s difficult for her to rise from a lying position.”
Mr Ho was unsure if 17-year-old Baa could endure another operation; she also had part of her right ear amputated to remove a skin cancer late last year.
“She’s too old for all of these operations. I’ll see the vet and see what he says.
“It’s very worrying.”
Mr Ho last week rebuffed attempts by Greater Dandenong Council to resolve a long-standing dispute over his desire to keep Baa in his backyard.
Jody Bosman, the council’s city planning, design and amenity director, had written to Mr Ho in February, March and May, requesting a meeting to “find an agreed position between us on where or how Baa can be kept”.
He stated he’d like to discuss whether there was still a need for Baa to live within “the residential area”.
“I am confident that between us we can reach a position which we could all be comfortable with,” he wrote – while offering an interpreter service for the meeting at the council’s expense.
Mr Bosman also wanted to discuss the council’s legal costs, awarded against Mr Ho for his unsuccessful actions in the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.
Last year, the High Court of Australia rejected Mr Ho’s application for the matter to be heard in the highest court in the land.
In a formal reply to the council last week, Mr Ho demanded proof that the council prosecuted him due to complaints from “neighbours and other residents about the sheep’s welfare”.
Mr Ho stated he had “the consent of all the residents in my neighbourhood” – through a petition and in an affidavit.
“We all know that no-one can build a castle on sand. In the same sense, a dialogue will fail if there is no trust between the parties,” he wrote.
In reference to Mr Bosman, Mr Ho wrote: “It is a pleasure to work with a council officer of great patience like you.”
Last week, the council declined to quantify its legal costs for the matter.
“Council has no comment to make on the matter, further to the decision of the High Court of Australia,” Mr Bosman said.
