Woman fined for barking Slough dogs
A Slough woman has been fined for breaching a Noise Abatement Notice given by Slough Borough Council for her barking dogs at Maidenhead Magistrates on January 25th.
Sarah Moss of Horton Road, Slough, was first served the notice on January 5th 2006 as her two barking dogs, kept in her garden, caused a nuisance to neighbouring residents.
The council’s neighbourhood enforcement team continued to receive complaints, and in July 2007, an officer witnessed two breaches of the Notice.
Miss Moss was fined £175, including costs.
Dympna Molloy, head of neighbourhood enforcement for Slough Borough Council, said: “It’s normal and natural for dogs to bark, but when barking happens a lot, or goes on for a long time, it can be annoying and upsetting for neighbours.
“Miss Moss was given the notice but chose to ignore it and unfortunately, has had to pay a fine. Hopefully, she will be able to keep her dogs from barking in the future.”
To help reduce the noise of your dog barking, there are a few simple steps people can take:
* If your dog barks at things outside your yard or garden, don’t let it go outside on its own.
* Keep it away from windows, so it can’t see people or other animals.
* If your dog barks at the same time every day, like when people in the house are going to work or school, try to keep it busy at that time. For example, you could take it for a walk.
* Try to keep your dog calm. If it barks when it’s excited, don’t play with it at anti-social times like very late at night.
* If your dog’s barking and you’re in a flat or a semi, try to keep it away from any walls you share with your neighbours.
* Don’t leave your dog outside if it’s barking to be let in.
* See if you can get a friend or relative to look after your dog when you go out, or take it with you.
* Make sure your dog gets some exercise before you go out. A tired dog barks less.
Commissioner for Slough public protection, Cllr John Edwards, added: “Dog owners have a responsibility to make sure that their pets are well behaved. It can be difficult at times, but it is made harder when the animals are left outside where everyone in the area can hear it bark.
“Hopefully this situation has been sorted and the owner and her pets will not cause any more distress to their neighbours.”
Slough Borough Council