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Pet owner Eric Davies was landed with a £1,200 bill - after failing to stop his dog barking.

The 43-year-old was fined by magistrates after neighbours complained to Blaby District Council about the loud and often prolonged barking of his dog Moses.

Louisa Horton, prosecuting on behalf of the council, told Leicester Magistrates’ Court how Davies was served with noise abatement orders after 18 residents complained about the barking of the dog - believed to be a French Mastiff.

Davies, of Thomas Drive, Countesthorpe, was living at Forest Road, Narborough, when the offences were committed this year.

The personal trainer pleaded guilty to five charges of failing to comply with an abatement order between May 19 and August 17.

(Image: Will Johnston)

Ms Horton said that environmental health officers went to check out complaints from neighbours about the barking of Davies’s dog.

“The officers heard prolonged barking," she continued. "It could be heard from inside a nearby shop.

“On another occasion, the barking could be heard from the first floor of a property in another street through the windows.”

Ms Horton said council officers tried to work with Davies but he kept breaching noise abatement orders.

She added: “This had a detrimental impact on the local community and the daily lives of residents.”

Davies, who represented himself in court. said: “My dog barks. I do accept that.

“What I don’t accept is that it was a nuisance. Other dogs in the neighbourhood barked.

“I feel I am being victimised. I didn’t feel comfortable in my own home due to this.

“I moved about eight weeks ago and have had no complaints about my dog.”

Jane Morton-Humphries, chair of the bench, fined Davies £576 and ordered him to pay £620 costs and a £57 victim surcharge.

She ordered him to pay the £1,253 total at £50 a month.

Davies said he was already paying £50 a month for other court matters.

“I can't pay £100 a month," he said. "I just can’t.

“If I’m forced into bankruptcy, I’m forced into bankruptcy.”

Ms Morton-Humphries said: “This is a fine. It is a punishment.

“It is not to fit to your circumstances.

“I am saying you have to pay this fine.

"You earn £2,500 a month and that is well above the benefit limit.

“If the fine is not paid then there are other methods that can be used.”