Nightmare Neighbours: Sheep stench spark health concerns for Bath family

Plagued by unbearable odours and persistent health issues allegedly caused by their neighbours’ livestock, a Bath, Mahaicony family says they have been living a nightmare since moving into their new home in 2023.

Deborah Sankar, who relocated from Unity with her husband and three young sons ages 4, 7, and 9 told the News Room that her family continues to be severely affected by the smell and fumes coming from a sheep pen next door.

The pen, which reportedly houses over 100 sheep, is owned by pensioners Pulmatie Sammy and her husband. The News Room understands that the couple has been rearing livestock for a number of years.

“We didn’t know that this was the problem here, we bought this property in 2023 and since we buy this property this has been happening to us,” Sankar told the News Room.

But despite multiple interventions, including a statutory notice from the Environmental Health Unit on March 11, 2025, which required the relocation of the sheep pen within three days, the issue persists more than a month later.

“The local Sanitary Authority do hereby require you within the said period to what is necessary for preventing the recurrence of the nuisance and for that purpose to (i) Relocate sheep pen at least 100ft from any residential/dwelling housr. (ii) Ensure construction of pen (s) allows for adequate and sufficient cleaning and clearing and safe disposal of waste.”

However, this was not done. Having complained to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Ministry of Health and the local Neighbourhood Democratic Council, Sankar said the couple does not comply with any orders.

“We went all over, we went to EPA, Ministry of Health, the NDC, the sanitary and whatever order they get they are not complying to anything,” Sankar said.

An investigation by the EPA in April 2023, found that the livestock activity was likely to release pollutants. The EPA had advised then that the owners adopt several mitigation measures.

“In this regard, the Agency has advised the owners of the operation to implement mitigation measures to prevent and/or reduce any potential emissions which are not limited to:

• Establish and adhere to a regular cleaning schedule for the pens and the general surroundings of the area.
• Implement best waste management practices related to the management of livestock
• Seek alternative location or site that is more suitable for livestock rearing activities.”

A follow-up visit was promised to determine compliance with the environment but according to Sankar this did not happen.

Sankar further explained that the problem is not just the sheep dung, but the urine soaking into the earth, which she said releases a toxic smell that causes severe discomfort and illness.

“My children keep getting sick very often. As soon as you come home, you getting headaches, bad feelings and vomiting.
“Every week I gotta take the children to the doctor,” Sankar explained.

She said they cannot open their windows, sleep or eat comfortably due to the persistent stench.

“Night time we gah sleep and inhale all the stink, we gotta cook and eat and do everything with it. The matter has been going on for years and nothing is being done about the situation.

“Many nights my children take their mattress off the bed and sleep outside because they does can’t take the smell,” a hopeless Sankar said.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Woodlands/Farm NDC, Krisendat Balkaran, confirmed that at least three official notices had been issued to the couple, with no compliance.

“EPA got involved and the Ministry of Health but yet these people are not complying,” Balkaran told the News Room.

Now, the family is pleading for urgent and decisive action, expressing frustration that the issue has persisted for years with no resolution.