Barnstable Animal Control Raids Kennel in Hyannis

PHOTOS COURTESY OF AUGUSTO DE OLIVEIRA. Augusto De Oliveira with some of his German shephards at his home in Hyannis.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF AUGUSTO DE OLIVEIRA.
Augusto De Oliveira with some of his German shephards at his home in Hyannis.

HYANNIS – A man who breeds German shepherds in Hyannis was visited by Barnstable town officials early Tuesday morning for alleged zoning violations.

Augusto De Oliveira said the town is unfairly targeting him and that he has been trying to obtain a kennel license and come into compliance. He said the town won’t help him.

“They won’t explain it to me. They just refuse to talk to me about it. All they say is no you can’t get a kennel license here,” he said.

He said his dogs are well cared for.

“Everyone that knows me, knows my dogs are my family; they live in the house with me. I do everything right. I exercise them. No one is really complaining,” he said.

De Oliveira is frequently seen walking six dogs at a time on West Main Street in Hyannis. Besides breeding dogs, he also trains them and is known as the “dog whisperer,” for his unique command over dogs.

Barnstable Town Counsel Charles McLaughlin said, the town has tried to work with De Oliveira and has told him how to get a commercial kennel license and he refuses to comply.

De Oliveira said he has 10 adult dogs and 10 puppies at his home now. McLaughlin said in the search town officials found 13 adult dogs and 11 puppies. The town allows only six dogs in a home.

De Oliveira's German shepards at his home in Hyannis.

De Oliveira’s German shepards at his home in Hyannis.

McLaughlin said De Olveira has been the subject of complains by neighbors over the past year. He also alleged that there have been police reports of dogs escaping from the yard and attacking people. He said that illegally installed fences are also an issue on the property.

“He is a flagrant abuser of laws,” McLaughlin said.

McLaughlin said he predicts the matter will be in court before long. In the worst case scenario, the town will need to take the dogs, McLaughlin said.

De Oliveira said he has found another place to keep the dogs but moving there will take time.

“I have other places in mind and a place that would be ideal for what I do but they don’t have a house on the property yet. I can’t do everything at once. The town won’t give me time and work with me so it just makes everything more difficult,” he said.



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