Noise nuisance prosecution
Published
Thursday 27 February, 2025
Updated
Thursday 27 February, 2025
A man has been successfully prosecuted for not complying with a noise abatement notice after dogs on his property were left to bark throughout the day.
Swale Borough Council officers attended noise complaints multiple times at Perry Sutton’s private property, in Boughton Under Blean, where they witnessed kennel facilities that housed as many as 50 dogs at a time.
These dogs were left to bark uncontrollably and would begin from six in the morning and often continue until eight in the evening.
A noise abatement notice was first handed to him all the way back in October 2022, and officers have continued receiving numerous noise complaints and witnessed five breaches.
Mr Sutton was convicted at Medway Magistrates’ Court on 11 February 2025 after being found guilty of eight breaches of the abatement order.
He was fined £800 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £320, a contribution towards enforcement costs of £820 and a contribution towards legal costs of £972, totalling £2,912.
Council officers will continue to monitor the property and take further action if necessary.
Cllr Rich Lehmann, chair of the Environment and Climate Change Committee, said:
“I would like to thank our officers who have worked incredibly hard gathering evidence, interviewed people and visited the property multiple times to witness the transgressions themselves.
“The dedication that officers show, along with the help of nearby residents, is what leads to positive outcomes at court, whether for noise nuisance, landlord’s dangerous properties or planning breaches.
“We are incredibly pleased with this outcome. which should serve as a warning to people who plan to ignore important enforcement notices that are always issued to tackle nuisance or to help keep people safe.
“We will continue to monitor the property and take the necessary action if the breaches of the noise abatement notice do not stop.”
To report a noise nuisance, go to: www.swale.gov.uk/pnn
