Noise from dogs which can drive neighbours barking mad is the focus of this year’s Noise Action Week.
From 21st to 25th May, problematic neighbour noises are being highlighted by Ards Borough Council’s Environmental Health Officers in an effort to raise awareness of the negative impact of noise and to help local people take action to reduce the need for complaints in the first place.
Barking dogs accounted for almost 50% (202) of the 416 noise complaints made to the Council in 2006/07, but simple steps can help ensure no complaint is necessary in the first place, according to Hazel McKee, Senior Environmental Health Officer in Ards:
“There’s no doubt that regular and constant barking can be extremely disturbing for those living close to a dog. However, dogs generally bark for a reason, so, for example, if a dog barks at things outside the house or garden, then owners need to try and keep their pet away from windows. Also, if a dog is being left alone for prolonged periods, then it’s better to have the animal trained to stay indoors, rather than outside where it is more likely to cause a nuisance. And, of course, a dog which is well exercised and has plenty of distractions is much less likely to bark,” said Mrs McKee. “We would much prefer to give advice on prevention than to mediate between neighbours or, as a last resort, to issue a noise abatement notice”.
And with the light evenings and improved weather, another common source of noise which continues to be a problem in Ards is scramblers and quads, both on public and private land.
“Aside from the obvious and much-publicised safety issues associated with these vehicles, the level of noise nuisance can be extremely high and is much more difficult to deal with – monitoring the noise, identifying the offenders and, on occasion, the landowner, are all more difficult than when dealing a domestic noise issue,” said Mrs McKee. “We launched Noise Action Week by teaming up with officers from the PSNI Community Policing Unit and the Anti Social Behaviour Team to visit some local “hotspots” for these complaints. We aimed to inform those using the land that the owners had not given permission and that, as well as causing a disturbance to local residents, unauthorised use of the land was in itself an offence. We will continue working with the police and local landowners and will serve abatement notices if sufficient evidence is obtained and the noise is deemed to cause a statutory nuisance. Breach of an abatement notice can lead to prosecution. We would much prefer, however, that parents, guardians and landowners recognise that what may be a fun activity for their kids, can cause real distress and disturbance for other residents. Restricted and considerate use of these vehicles is a must.”
Four sites, subject to on-going noise problems from scamblers, were visited over the weekend in a joint patrol involving the Council and PSNI. Riders were approached and warned of the need to desist from the activities because of the nuisance being caused.
A leaflet called ‘Is your dog barking too much?’ is available from Ards Borough Council, Tel: 028 9182 4050, or on the Defra website at www.defra.gov.uk. This leaflet helps dog owners to work with neighbours to sort out problem dog barking and to help understand why their dog barks. It also gives practical steps to stop or cut down the barking.
Noise Action Week runs from 21st to 25th May and anyone who would like further information or advice on noise prevention should contact the Environmental Health section at Ards Borough Council, Tel: 028 9182 4050.
Posted in
- The Editor's blog
- Login to post comments
- Stumble
