A Worcester dog owner has appeared in court accused of failing to stop his noisy pooches from barking, despite multiple warnings. 

Oliver Dakers, of Worboys Road, was served with four separate abatement notices in August of last year by Worcester City Council because of his dog's 'excessive' barking. 

However, the city council say that Dakers failed to mute his vocal canines, and he is now facing legal action under the Environmental Protection Act.

Dakers entered a plea of not guilty at Worcestershire Magistrates' Court on July 7 for failing to comply with all four of the abatement notices 'without reasonable excuse'. 

At the most recent hearing on September 30, the bench adjourned the case until November 3, when Dakers will have to attend a case management hearing at Kidderminster Magistrates' Court. 

Under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, any noise from a premises that is likely to cause injury to a person’s health or interfere with their enjoyment of their property can be considered a 'statutory nuisance'.

Councils are responsible for looking into complaints about noise from premises, which under government guidance includes loud music and barking dogs.

Fines for dog owners who failed to stop their pets from barking were previously capped at £5000, however, they can now be subject to an unlimited penalty. 

How loud the dog is barking, what time of day it occurs, and the duration of the disturbance will be taken into account by the council when they are assessing a noise complaint.

Councils can then serve an abatement notice within seven days of the complaint ordering owners to halt their dog's barking.

Failure to comply with an abatement notice is a criminal offence.

Individuals can also take private action if they feel their neighbour's dog is disturbing them.