Hearing set to discuss pet cemetery controversy

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — People with pets buried at the only pet cemetery in the area set for redevelopment want members of the community to help them fight the new property owner.

A hearing Tuesday morning will discuss the future of Walden Pond Pet Cemetery off of Market Street. Kim Phelps is one of the pet owners who buried animals there. Phelps hired an attorney on behalf of all of the pet owners to fight new property owner Ricky Coates.

The controversy came after Coates sent letters to the pet owners in April telling them to dig up their animals’ remains. In June, a judge issued a preliminary injunction to stop Coates from developing the land.

The hearing is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. at the New Hanover County Courthouse in courtroom 400. Calls to Coates have not been returned.