Woman fined £1,000 for keeping noisy dogs in Cradley council house

Dudley Council had received noise complaints from neighbours of Rachel Cook. The Council believed that Ms Cook was keeping multiple dogs in her home which were causing the noise. Following these complaints, the Council served Ms Cook with a noise abatement notice.

Ms Cook failed to comply with the terms of the notice, and as a result, she was prosecuted by the Council and appeared at Wolverhampton Magistrates’ Court on 11 April 2019.

Ms Cook pleaded guilty to the offence of failing to comply with the noise abatement notice. In mitigation, her environmental solicitor said that there had not been any problems since December last year, and that there were now only 3 dogs at the property.

The Court fined Ms Cook £1,000 and ordered her to pay £1,364.45 costs and a victim surcharge of £170.

Alun Lunt, Deputy Chief Executive and Strategic Director at Dudley Council said: "Our anti-social behaviour team works closely with residents to address the behaviour of the minority of tenants and residents who go beyond acceptable noise levels and affect the daily lives of people who live nearby. The outcome of the case sends a clear message that we expect people to behave in a reasonable and considerate way.”

If you or your business are served with a noise abatement notice, call our specialist Regulatory Partner, James Lowe, on 07833 240400 for advice and assistance.