Granny given ASBO over barking dogs

Published by Hannah Wooderson for 24dash.com in Local Government

A grandmother was handed an anti-social behaviour order after failing to stop her five dogs barking.

Patricia Eldridge, 64, now faces having to get rid of two of her pedigree Pointers.

She was handed the order by magistrates on April 14 after her neighbours in Anstey, Leicestershire, complained about the dogs barking.

Charnwood Borough Council said it decided to apply for the order against Eldridge after she failed to comply with an abatement notice last year.

The order means Eldridge, who has been breeding dogs for the past 20 years, must prevent any further noise or potentially face a prison sentence.

Alan Twells, from the council, said: "It is good news for the residents of the neighbouring properties, who can hopefully at last have some peace and quiet.

"The success of this case is down to the persistence and co-ordinated action from officers of the council and the local residents."

But Eldridge, of Bradgate Road, said she was "absolutely furious" with the council after being handed the two-year order at Loughborough Magistrates' Court.

Her dogs have previously won prizes at competitions, including Crufts.

She told the Leicester Mercury: "For a 64-year-old granny to be taken to court and given an Asbo, it's using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

"They are beautiful animals that are fun to show and fun to live with.
It's very rare that they bark at all."