A DOG owner has been ordered to keep her barking pet in check.

Eliza Biggs, of Dutton Green, Shrewsbury, was served with a noise abatement notice by Shropshire Council on May 4 following a string of complaints from neighbours about her barking dog.

The notice – under Section 80 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 – stated the repeated and  Bregular barking of her dog was a nuisance to residents and ordered it to be stopped within 21 days.

At an appeal in September, Shrewsbury magistrates accepted the dog’s barking was a nuisance and upheld the notice.

Costs of £1,500 were also awarded to the council.

The neighbourhood pollution team is asking dog owners to be mindful of the disruption their pet’s barking can cause.

Cllr Steve Charmley, cabinet member for environmental health, said: “Excessive noise can cause disruption and distress, having a significant impact on people’s lives.

“Our neighbourhood pollution team investigates a range of noise complaints, and while we will work to resolve issues before they reach the point that a notice needs to be served, this case highlights that we will take action when necessary.
“People are no longer prepared to suffer noise nuisance and the number of complaints we handle is increasing generally.
“Often people do not realise that their dogs may be causing a noise nuisance as the dogs can bark when the owners are out at work, but simple measures can be taken to prevent the problems this causes.
“This case provides the opportunity to raise awareness of the impact this can have, and let people know that the team is available to provide further information and advice.”
Last year Shropshire Council received 1,116 complaints about noise of which 286 – almost exactly a quarter – related to dog barking.
Since January 1 this year, it has received 265 complaints about noise from barking dogs.
The authority suggests
giving your dog plenty of exercise before leaving it alone with its favourite toys and a radio on at a low volume to settle it.