Derby dog owner prosecuted over barking dog left outside
Published: 24 January 2024
The dog, not pictured, was left barking day and night.
Residents in Littleover will be able to sleep soundly again after the owner of a noisy dog was prosecuted at a hearing on 8 January.
Derby City Council began receiving complaints in January 2022 about a dog continuously barking at 8 Old Hall Road, Littleover .
The dog, a German Shepherd, was kept as a guard dog and lived 24 hours a day, seven days a week, meaning there was no respite from the noise for neighbours.
Council officers carried out several visits to the area and installed noise monitoring equipment. Over the next 18 months it was found that the noise nuisance was continuing to the detriment of the local community.
A Community Protection Notice (CPN) was issued to the resident requiring them to reduce the noise caused by the dog to an acceptable level. Despite this, the noise continued.
This CPN allowed authorised Council officers to seize the animal-, which was done with the support of Derbyshire Police, the RSPCA, and a dog warden.
The owner, who did not attend the hearing, was then prosecuted for breaching the Community Protection Notice.
They will now have to pay a total of £3,663, made up of a £700 fine, £2,683 in costs and a victim surcharge of £280.
The Magistrates ordered the forfeiture of the dog, which can now be rehomed by the Council and will go on to live a much better life.
Councillor Shiraz Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing, Property and Regulatory Services, said:
“Residents have a right to relax in their own homes, and it can be incredibly frustrating to have a noise nuisance in the area.
“This prosecution is a reminder that we will take action to address issues and is also a great example of how our teams are working hard to deliver the best outcomes for our communities.”