Posted on: Thursday 28 March 2024
A Torfaen resident has been prosecuted after allowing her dog to continue to bark, despite being served with a Noise Abatement Notice.
The noise was found to be having a detrimental impact neighbouring residents, affecting their sleep and right to peaceful enjoyment of their property.
Investigations were undertaken by Environmental Health Officers, using noise monitoring equipment, which evidenced the dog barking to be excessive and unreasonable. The dog owner failed to take reasonable steps to prevent causing a nuisance to neighbours, and when questioned by officers, failed to provide satisfactory reasons for the ongoing noise disturbances.
Last week at Cwmbran Magistrates Court, Ms Susana Johnstone of 11 St Arvans Road, Southville, Cwmbran accepted that her dog continued to bark excessively, causing a nuisance after the notice had been served, and pleaded guilty to a breach of the specified conditions.
She was convicted of an offence under the Environmental Protection Act and ordered to pay £1,000 towards the council’s prosecution costs, as well as a victim surcharge of £26.
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 dogs to avoid causing problems, 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.”
Find out more about noise nuisance and how the council can help