Dogs Lose Town Zoning Battle

Town officials, responding to neighbors’ howls of protest, have stopped a house from going to the dogs.

Barbara Shampain’s dogs, that is.

Shampain, who died in August 1994 at the age of 63, bequeathed her home and most of her estate to her six dogs.

But a bid to turn Shampain’s home into a kennel for the schnauzers, Maltese Terriers, Rottweiler and mutt was struck down Thursday night by zoning officials.

More than 40 neighbors opposed the kennel plan, calling it a vengeful act by a woman upset with those who had complained about her dogs.

“Her purpose is a calculated, spiteful attempt to exact revenge on neighbors who she claims persecuted her and her dogs,” Bob Matthai said.

Cyril H. Moore Jr., the executor of Shampain’s will, had sought permission to continue using the house for the dogs until the estate was spent. Now he says he will keep the dogs at his home and sell the house in Avon.