Council issues barking dog noise nuisance warning

15 December 2023

Dog owners in Powys who allow their pets to become a noise nuisance could face enforcement action, the county council has warned.

Powys County Council's Environmental Protection Team has issued the warning after it successfully prosecuted a north Powys resident for breaching a noise abatement notice relating to dog barking.

The resident was fined £500 for breaching the abatement notice, ordered to pay £450 costs and a £200 victim surcharge by Llandrindod Wells Magistrates Court earlier this month (December).

Complaints about this case first started in 2021 and following investigations by the council, an abatement notice was served on the resident.

Despite this, the resident continued to allow his dog to bark for prolonged periods causing disturbance to nearby neighbours.  Officers of the Environmental Protection Team recorded breaches of the notice on four separate occasions and, as the resident had failed to engage and resolve the matter, it was taken for prosecution in the Magistrates Court.

Cllr Richard Church, Cabinet Member for a Safer Powys said: "Residents should be able to live in their own homes without being severely impacted by ongoing unrelenting noise nuisance.

"Despite being made aware of this noise nuisance by the council on several occasions, the defendant continued to allow his dogs to bark and cause a nuisance to neighbours.

"This successful prosecution serves as a reminder of the need to show consideration to neighbours and that we will not hesitate to take action against those who negatively impact the lives of others."