A dog owner has been fined £1,000 after she let her pooch bark too much despite a noise abatement notice being issued.
Susana Johnston was prosecuted after her dog's "excessive barking" was found to be negatively affecting her neighbour's sleep and right to peaceful enjoyment of their property in Cwmbran in South Wales.
An investigation found that Johnston failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the noise when questioned by environmental health officers.
Noise monitoring equipment showed that the dog barking was "excessive and unreasonable".
A dog owner has been fined £1000 after she let her pooch bark too much despite a noise abatement notice being issued (stock dog image)
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The 46-year-old appeared at Cwmbran Magistrates' Court on March 20 and accepted her dog continued to bark excessively.
She also admitted causing a nuisance after the notice had been issued to her old address at St Arvans Road, Southville, Cwmbran.
Johnston pleaded guilty to a breach of the conditions between May 31, 2023, and November 7, 2023.
Under the Environmental Protection Act, she was ordered to pay £1,000 towards the council's prosecution costs and a victim surcharge of £26.
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Following the outcome, the local council said the prosecution had been "successful".
Councillor Mandy Owen, executive member for environment, said: "This case serves as a reminder of the negative impact noise pollution can have on the wellbeing of residents.
"It is the responsibility of dog ownership to manage the behaviour of their dog or including preventing them from making excessive noise.
"I would like to commend the excellent work of the council’s officers in bringing this case before the courts and achieving a successful outcome in the interest of public health protection."
Noise monitoring equipment showed that the dog barking was 'excessive and unreasonable' (stock image)
GettyMonic Edwards and Andy Pedu Nelson, from Roundhill, Kirby Muxloe in Leicester, were warned by the council to take measures to stop their eight dogs from barking, but were hit with the charge last month after failing.
The evidence from neighbours demonstrated that “the noise from the dog barking occurs very frequently, for long durations, at unsocial hours and this is having a significant impact on their quality of life at home”.
