Can You Be Sued for Grilling a Steak? Vegan Neighbor Says Yes

A Perth resident, Cilla Carden, found herself embroiled in a contentious dispute with her neighbors that ultimately landed in the Supreme Court. A dedicated vegan, Carden claimed that the aroma of her neighbors’ barbecues and the noise from their backyard basketball games had rendered her own outdoor space unbearable.

“It’s been devastating, it’s been turmoil, it’s been unrest, I haven’t been able to sleep,” Carden expressed her distress to 9News in 2019. The constant smell of cooking meat and cigarette smoke, coupled with the sound of children playing basketball, had significantly impacted her quality of life. “They’ve put it there so I smell fish, all I can smell is fish. I can’t enjoy my backyard, I can’t go out there,” she explained, alleging intentional harassment.  

Despite her legal pursuits being dismissed both initially and on appeal, Carden maintained her stance. “It’s deliberate, that’s what I told the courts, it’s deliberate,” she asserted.

Her neighbors, however, contended that they had addressed the issue by discontinuing the barbecue and requesting their children to refrain from basketball.

The case sparked significant public interest, culminating in the organization of a large-scale community barbecue in response to Carden’s actions. While the event attracted immense attention, including a warning from police and legal threats from Carden’s lawyer, it was ultimately canceled.

Carden’s legal representative emphasized that her client had no objection to meat consumption or backyard barbecues in general.

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