By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
SPRINGVALE mechanic Vu Ho refuses to buckle ahead of a potential $100,000 Court of Appeal fight against the eviction of his domestic sheep.
Mr Ho, who is unemployed, has yet to secure legal representation ahead of the hearing in June.
He will argue for the court to overturn his unsuccessful Supreme Court action against Greater Dandenong Council, which fined him $225 and ordered him to remove his 15-year-old sheep Baa from his home.
He says that stoush cost him $150,000-plus — including at least $80,000 for the council’s legal costs.
If he loses his appeal, he estimates a further $100,000 will be spent — as well as, in all likelihood, his house. He has sold a half share in his house to his son, who will borrow against the share to fund the case.
Mr Ho, who has dismissed his pro-bono lawyer over a difference of legal opinion, is negotiating with a barrister.
Mr Ho is unrepentant about the price he has to pay to retain Baa’s companionship. He regards Baa — who has a penchant for sweet chilli sauce — as more of a pet than livestock.
“She’s doing well through all this. She should realise there’s been a terrible cost,” Mr Ho said.
After last year’s Supreme Court decision, Greater Dandenong’s chief executive John Bennie said the council was disappointed the matter was taken to court.
He said Mr Ho had “other legal options available to him if he wished to continue keeping a sheep in the way he does”.
“[The] council is, and always has been, happy to discuss these options directly with Mr Ho”.
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