Council crackdown on barking dogs

York Council’s Environmental Protection Unit (EPU) has seen a huge increase in dog barking complaints in the last few years.

The number of complaints has shot up from 45 in 2008/09 to 249 in 2009/10 - with a further 204 received in 2010/11.

And the figure is continuing to rise, with the council receiving 129 complaints since April. It is thought the increase is due to a growing awareness of the authority’s Noise Patrol team, which was set up in 2006 to help to tackle the problem.

Craig Delorenzo, environmental protection officer at York Council, said: “Many people don’t realise their dog is causing a nuisance. When we send them a letter to say we’ve received a complaint, the owner often tells us they were unaware that their dog barks. If you have a dog it’s worth checking with your neighbours to see if they are bothered by barking, especially if you leave your dog alone for long periods.”

The rise has sparked a clamp down on dog owners across the city, with the EPU serving five noise abatement notices so far this year.