St Albans man appeals for somewhere to keep animals - after fire kills eight

Geoffrey Parker, 54, used to run an animal rescue centre from his council house in Keswick Close. He had 142 rabbits and guinea pigs in a trailer in his garden - all of which he had to release when someone started a fire in the trailer in 2013.

Mr Parker lives with his wife Christine, and during the past 18 months there they say there have been five fires in their garden, one of which firefighters said was close to spreading to the house.

In the most recent incident last week, four rabbits and four guinea pigs were killed as they slept in the horsebox parked in the drive - including Mr Parker’s two stone French lop rabbits Harley and Molly.

Mr Parker said: "I’m absolutely devastated. I don’t know what else to do. The council are refusing to help, and have even added to our stress by trying to evict us and are making us move our horsebox. I want an end to it all.

"This latest incident is a massive blow. I had Harley and Molly for a couple of years and spent so long training them. Molly was blind and when she came to us she wouldn’t even be picked up.

"They really looked after each other - and it’s going to be tough without them."

In another incident last year, Mr Parker had his marquee burnt down the night before he was due to take the animals and show them to cubs in Watford.

Mr Parker currently has two iguanas, Isabelle and Napoleon, a nine and a half foot boa constrictor called Bertha, a black and white Argentine tegu called Hercules, a pair of chinchillas, Ted and BJ, four cats, Shelby, Little Dos, Panther and Sock, a Staffordshire bull terrier called Scrapper and the rabbits.

They are currently housed in a horse box at the end of Mr Parker’s drive. He has just also just inherited six rabbits and nine guinea pigs - which are being housed elsewhere until he can sort out accommodation.

Mr Parker continued: "We have been here for 14 years and never had a problem before 18 months ago.

"This has been a traumatic nightmare for us. Not only has it been extremely stressful, losing our animals has been devastating - and knowing it is deliberate has made it that much worse. "It really is horrific and is really taking its toll."

St Albans District Council served the Parker’s with an eviction notice last year, claiming they were bringing vermin into the area.

However, the couple successfully overturned the notice.

Karen Dragovic, head of housing at St Albans District Council, said: "The council’s policy, as shown on each tenancy agreement, is that a limited number of domestic pets can be kept in council homes, depending on the living space available.

"The council also requires that vans and other vehicles should be in designated parking areas only."

Mr Parker, who has not been able to work for 14 years due to various health issues, takes his animals into schools - including Samuel Ryder - and to cub and scout groups for free. He added: "The idea was to keep half a dozen rabbits and do the odd talk but the kids got so much out of it.

"I never expected it to be so popular.

"I was in a wheelchair up until three years ago. Having the animals encouraged me to get out and has given me a new lease of life. I don’t want to lose them.

"I am appealing for somewhere to keep my animals - if it is an empty building or a small piece of land. Anything to make them safe, it doesn’t matter where it is. We will do whatever it takes."

Hertfordshire Constabulary said they were investigating the incidents and anyone with information should call them and quote the crime reference number F1/14/2861.