'Non-stop barking' problem

The Garland Heights resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said he first contacted the council about, what he termed, “non-stop dog barking” in October 2009.

“When I say non-stop, I mean 10pm every night until 8am the next morning,” he said.

“Myself and four other residents contacted the environmental health officer about it and the story reads like something from the Goon Show.”

He continued: “The officer asked me to complete a series of log sheets over a three week period as to times when the dog barked. Having endured another three weeks without a full night's sleep, I submitted the sheets.

“As I heard nothing back from them, I was left to contact the office myself. I was told they send the owner of the dog some ‘Barking advice leaflets’. How wonderful of them.”

A month later the man contacted the office again and was told to fill out more log sheets for another three weeks.

“God alone knows why I did, but I completed these and submitted them,” he said.

“A matter of weeks later I had to contact the office to see if they were going to take any action against this public nuisance, I was told they had issued the owner with a ‘Barking collar’ for a three week period.

“Once the barking collar was collected by the council, the dog went back to its old ways and howled from 2am until 7am.”

The man added: “It was now February and I was at my wits end, I rang and demanded the council take action. An environmental health officer called out and installed a sound recording device to collect evidence.

"Well I supplied a fine collection of howls, barking and general savaging of a metal feeding dish from 1am to 8am every night for a seven day period. The recording equipment was collected and I was told to expect a call within the week from them.

"Two weeks later I had to contact them, only to be told they were having computer problems downloading the recordings from their equipment.

“I rang again a week later and demanded action. An environmental health officer came out to me at 10.30am. By this time the dog was sleeping soundly after barking from 10pm the previous night through to 6am that morning.

"Now I am told, after having to contact them again, that a noise nuisance could not be established.

“Hard to believe isn't it. So this is what your council rates bill pays for - almost 700 a year to fund a department of God knows how many staff to do nothing.”

Craigavon Borough Council’s Environmental Health Department confirmed it is currently investigating this particular dog barking complaint and gathering evidence.

A spokesperson said: “Before Council can proceed with any action it is essential we determine if the barking is a public nuisance in terms of the law and this can be a lengthy process.

“Council has taken a number of actions including installing noise monitoring equipment, analysing noise data, contacting the dog owner, visiting the complainant and issuing an electronic dog collar specifically designed to help control a dog with a persistent barking problem.

“Ultimately a dog’s behaviour is the responsibility of the dog owner and every dog barking complaint Council receives is treated very seriously and steps are taken to help solve all noise complaints.”