DOG kennels volunteers are rejoicing after enough money was raised to save the centre which was slapped with a large legal bill.

Generous donations from the public to the Wallace Kennels, in Chivers Road, Stondon Massey, have helped pay the five figure sum after a former volunteer sued the charity after being bitten.

Bosses at the kennels have also had to take out a loan and spend their savings to pay the bill which had threatened the future of the venue.

Shortly after the payment deadline on Friday (April25), a post was put on the charity’s Facebook page confirming the settlement had been reached.

More than 1,000 people have liked the post.

Dee Robinson, who runs the kennels, said: “We are all extremely grateful to everyone who donated.

“It feels absolutely wonderful to have reached the target even though we did have to take a loan out which we have to pay back over time.

“It could have been so easy to simply throw the towel in, but the support we have had since being handed the legal bill has made continuing what we do worthwhile.”

The bill came as the result of a “no win no fee” legal case where a woman in her 40s sued the kennels.

While helping out as a volunteer in 2010, the claimant was attacked by a dog and bitten.

Proceedings finished after kennel bosses agreed the out of court settlement.

Donations are still being accepted by the kennels and anyone wishing to give money can do so by visiting www.wallacekennels.com.