Noise pollution claim by villagers keen for last of the summer whine

A Yorkshire village where silence is golden is up in arms over a whining terrier – even though its owner insisted yesterday it doesn’t bark.

Residents in Barlby hit the headlines recently when Barlby County Primary school banned hard ball games and cancelled afternoon playtime because of moans about “noise pollution”.

Village resident Lynsey Gatenby, 29, added terrier cross Alfie to her family last month, to the delight of her children Eleanor, seven, Joe, five, and three-year-old Evie.

But Selby Council received enough complaints about Alfie to fire off an official letter telling the family to “minimise noise emissions” from the dog.

Ms Gatenby, of Northfield, Barlby, said the “pitiful yapping” of the 11-week-old pet could not even be classed as barking. She added: “I think some people want Barlby to be a silent village.”

However, the council’s letter also made clear that no one was accusing anyone of anything.

It was just to advise Ms Gatenby there had been a complaint and monitoring would be carried out to see if there was any substance to it.