Law firm of Critton, Luttier & Coleman, LLP Files Lawsuit against Loxahatchee Groves Municipality

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - May 20, 2016 - PRLog -- Over ten years ago, Lauree Simmons, began to rescue dogs. It started with saving one Weimaraner. Today, Lauree is the quiet and powerful force behind Big Dog Ranch Rescue. To date, Lauree and Big Dog Ranch have rescued over 14,000 innocent dogs and puppies from a certain death.

Lauree's passion and her commitment to saving the lives of innocent dogs has led to Big Dog Ranch's incredible success. Big Dog Ranch is now one of the largest "no kill" rescue facilities in the southeastern United States.

Because they have grown so much, Big Dog Ranch needed to find a new facility for their expanded campus. They bought a 33-acre lot in Loxahatchee Groves and were very excited about contributing to the community. They did not ask for tax breaks, nor did they ask for any seed money. They bought a lot, agreed to pay property taxes and agreed to pay $100,000.00 to pave a road for Loxahatchee Groves.

In return, the Town Council for Loxahatchee Groves has been nothing short of outrageously difficult, manipulative and vindictive.

When Big Dog Ranch submitted their site plan for approval, Loxahatchee Groves sat on it for over six months. In the words of Vice Mayor and Councilman, Goltzene, during a Town Council meeting, "The Town don't have to jump just because you want it to." Councilman Goltzene and the rest of the Town Council have obviously forgotten they are public servants. Because of this six-month delay, Big Dog Ranch has had to scramble to keep its facility operating. They have relocated over 200 dogs to other facilities outside of Loxahatchee Groves, while these dogs await adoption.

Unfortunately, there was a need for Big Dog Ranch to secure a place for the most at-risk dogs. These are dogs who had been hit by cars, had serious medical issues, had been abused and neglected and of course, mothers whom had just had puppies.  Ironically, a number of the rescue dogs came from Loxahatchee Groves.

Although six months behind, Big Dog Ranch has been constructing its new, modern facility on the Loxahatchee Groves property as quickly as possible. Big Dog Ranch applied for and obtained permission from the Town of Loxahatchee Groves to install temporary trailers to handle the dogs who needed immediate medical attention and 24-hour care.

Unfortunately, Loxahatchee Groves, consistent with its history of abusing commercial endeavors, has taken the position that it never "approved" these trailers. They have notified Big Dog Ranch that if they do not remove these trailers, which are saving dogs' lives, the power will be shut off at their temporary facility on Monday, May 23, 2016.

When notified that Big Dog Ranch had ten days to remove their trailers, Lauree Simmons requested a simple extension for two weeks, to discuss with the Town their issues and try to work them out.

Consistent with the terrible history of this Town's commission members and their multiple lawsuits, they refused to agree to a two-week extension to try to work these issues out. This is nothing short of outrageous conduct by a local government.

When told that the consequences of their refusal for a simple two-week extension would be the death of multiple medically treated dogs, Vice Mayor and Councilman Goltzene said, "That's not my problem." Clearly, the Town Council of Loxahatchee Groves is in favor of killing dogs.

Loxahatchee Groves is no stranger to lawsuits. They run their government by their own rules. They have been sued multiple times for failing to act in a reasonable fashion. They are now being sued again.

The Law firm of Critton, Luttier & Coleman, LLP (www.lawclc.com) has filed a lawsuit against the Loxahatchee Groves municipality requesting an injunction to allow Big Dog Ranch time to try to comply with Loxahatchee Groves' outrageous demands and requests. They have already taken $100,000.00 from Big Dog Ranch to pave a road in order to obtain their site plan approval. Now, clearly, they are trying to squeeze more money out of a not-for-profit dog rescue facility that does nothing but save dogs' lives.

The entire Town Council for Loxahatchee Groves should be removed and replaced, with the exception of Councilman Jarriel. A new municipal government structure should be set up to ensure fairness for all citizens, both residential and commercial, because the current Town Commission, with the exception of Councilman Jarriel, who was the only reasonable voice during this meeting, are completely out of control and not looking out for the best interest of the town or its residents.