A council spokesperson said it had received "continuous complaints". "Since April 2014, council has received continuous complaints from several different neighbours about a barking dog at 40 Hefferan Street, Fairfield," it said. "Neighbours report this barking is impacting their ability to sleep, work and live in peace." The former midwife filled out the notice and kept a logbook of when her dogs barked, purchased a recording device to determine level of nuisance, consulted with a dog trainer and built a strong wooden fence to stop Sandy from being able to see anyone walking past the fence. She said didn't hear back from the council and, given she had not noticed any excessive barking from Sandy, assumed the situation had been resolved - until she was issued with a notice to remove Sandy in November 2014.

Within days of receiving the notice, the Banwells' home was destroyed in a storm, preventing the council from taking Sandy away. The family worked to rebuild their home and in April 2015, moved back in. Complaints of excessive barking continued until early 2016, when Ms Banwell said she was informed the investigation into Sandy's alleged excessive barking had ended. "I thought, 'OK, finally this is the end'," she said. "And then on the Sunday before last (a council worker) rang and said we have advice and (the warrant to seize and destroy) is still valid.

"He said, 'We will be applying to get a warrant to get the dog'. I said, 'Could I be advised when you go to court to get that warrant?' " However Ms Banwell said she was not notified, and on Thursday at 3pm she received a call from the council letting her know it had obtained a warrant and would be at the house within the hour. "I got on phone (to council) and said, 'You said you would tell me when you would go to court to get the warrant and he said, 'I was directed not to advise you'," she said. "I said this is not fair, I was almost having a breakdown. "I flew in, grabbed the dogs, stuffed them in the car and drove off and had to pull over to compose myself."

A council spokesperson said it had made attempts to work with Ms Banwell to stop the animal from barking excessively, however to no result, but said there was no intention to euthanase the dog. "Despite attempts to work with the owner, the dog has continued to bark excessively, causing a breach of the Animal Local Law 2003," they said. "As the owner has not been able to reduce or stop the barking, a notice has been issued to the owner requiring them to rehome the dog at another property. "Dogs are only euthanised in extreme cases when they present a safety risk to the community and barking is not considered such a risk, therefore there is no intention to euthanise this dog. "Council has substantial evidence of the dog breaching the local law through excessive barking and impacting the lives of surrounding neighbours.

"This includes multiple records of the dog barking including one instance of constant barking in excess of 11 minutes." Ms Banwell said the two-year battle was having a serious impact on her family and she started an online petition, which has more than 45,000 signatures, as a last resort. "It's one of the most horrific things I have had to experience," she said. "My son asked the other night, he said, 'This says destruction, that doesn't man they want to kill her?' I said 'That is what it means, but I have her safe.' " Both family dogs are boarding in a kennel until the matter can be resolved.

"This can't be long-term, because I can't afford that. "On December 21, 2015, they sent a letter to say there was no breach with any of the recordings they had but if we get a complaint we are going to investigate regardless. "Basically there is never going to be an end point." A council spokesperson said there was "extensive" evidence that justified the council proceeding with a relocation notice. "Following a complaint from the dog owner, council conducted a full review of the case and the decision to proceed was made by several senior council staff, based on the extensive evidence about the dog's barking behaviour," they said.

"Council will defend the rights of those neighbours who have been directly impacted for more than two years by the loud ongoing barking of this dog." Stay informed. Like Brisbane Times on Facebook