November 17, 2013
Scotland

Wind turbines wrecked life of tragic family pet

By Janet Boyle, 17 November 2013 | www.sundaypost.com

A Scots dog owner won a battle to have two wind turbines removed after claiming her pet suffered seizures.

The turbines were eventually removed, but it was a victory tinged with sadness.

Irene Cardle says her beloved dog, Shadow, passed away just days after the council dismantled the 19-yard-high fixtures last month.

The distressed dog had endured serious fits because of the flicker from the blades which whirled just feet from the family home.

The turbines were sited at Blacklaw Primary School in East Kilbride and built as part of an eco drive by education bosses.

Retired book-keeper, Irene, 66, said: “I had to watch helplessly as my dog, Shadow, shook and took uncontrollable fits whenever the blades rotated.

“She was susceptible to fits but they increased significantly after the turbines were put up five years ago.

“Our lives were made a misery by the constant flicker and whine of the blades and I used to leave the house for hours with Shadow to escape.

“Sadly, Shadow passed away two weeks ago, just days after the turbines were eventually taken down.

“She never got to enjoy much life after they went.”

Angry neighbours had raised a petition to plead with South Lanarkshire Council to remove the turbines, but failed.

Residents living near the school say education bosses told them pupils had asked for the turbines after voting for an energy saving device.

“It stunned us that the council consulted young children without thinking how it would affect people living nearby,” Irene added.

Irene’s neighbour, Helen Morton, 66, backed the anti-turbine petition saying she and many others could not open their windows at night because of the noise.

“It was impossible to sit in my living room for more than an hour at night because of the strobe effect from the propellers – and the noise was like a helicopter.

“A couple came round with a petition to stop them being built, but the council went ahead despite our objections.”

Council officials say they dismantled the turbines because they were not eco-efficient. When the mechanism which drove the blades broke they claim they were costing more money to repair than the electricity which would be generated.

Linda Holt, spokeswoman for Scotland against Spin, said: “We are not surprised the turbines turned out to be inefficient. That is case for many throughout Scotland.

“It’s a shame Shadow isn’t able to enjoy a peaceful old age now that the turbines are finally removed.”

South Lanarkshire Council’s Head of Education’s Resources department, George Wynne, said: “The turbines were installed following collaboration between the school’s ‘green team’ and architects as part of a package of efficient energy initiatives.

“They have been removed because they were not cost effective.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/11/17/wind-turbines-wrecked-life-of-tragic-family-pet/