Dog owner fined after barking complaints

North Somerset Courthouse. Archant

A Weston-super-Mare dog owner whose pets infuriated neighbours has been forced to pay hundreds of pounds in court for failing to stop her dogs barking.

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Elaine Hart, aged 49 and of Bilbie Road, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a noise abatement notice, which was issued by North Somerset Council, at North Somerset Courthouse on July 6.

Complaints about Hart’s dogs had been made to the council by neighbours since August, and the abatement notice was issued on October 6 – which required the defendant to supervise her animals and keep barking and nuisance to a minimum.

However barking complaints continued after the council’s order was issued, and on two visits in February to a neighbour’s home an environmental health officer found intrusive noise could be heard in every room.

Eleven more reports were made to the council by the beginning of April, which saw the authority take court action.

Hart, who did not attend the hearing, was fined £170 and ordered to pay £85 costs and £30 victim surcharge.

The council’s executive member for environmental protection, Peter Bryant, said: “We take matters such as this very seriously and are always encouraging dog owners to act responsibly.

“Owners should always consider how their dogs are affecting others.

“Simple steps they can take include always taking action to prevent unnecessary barking, always picking up after their pets and making sure their dogs are under control at all times when in public.”