Evicted – The York woman who let her dogs bark relentlessly for FOUR years
For four years, a York woman allowed her dogs to bark relentlessly, causing a major headache for her neighbours.
But now peace has returned – after City of York Council took the unusual action of evicting her from her council home.
Samantha Flower, 44 of Lincoln Street, Leeman Road, failed to control her Jack Russell terriers’ relentless barking after the first complaints in 2017.
In August 2021 York magistrates fined her for failing to comply with a noise abatement notice, which required her to stop her dogs causing a nuisance to her neighbours.
Now she has paid a higher price for not controlling her pets – and lost her home.
Because Ms Flower had broken her tenancy agreement with her anti-social behaviour and noise nuisance, the council applied to the County Court for an eviction order. This was granted and she was evicted by the council on 20 October.
Ms Flowers told the court that she had attempted to soundproof her home, and that she had re-homed one of her dogs because of the issues but still had two dogs at the property.
The timeline
Increase in complaints
Cllr Denise Craghill, executive member for housing and safer neighbourhoods, said: “Such prolonged and loud nuisance is unacceptable, and especially so during a pandemic, when everyone’s sensitivities are heightened.
“Complaints to the council of dogs barking rose by an extra 48 during the pandemic – that’s a 26% increase compared to the same period last year.
“If you have to leave your dog at home for any period of time, you must make sure that you train it to be quiet when it is alone, so it doesn’t disturb your neighbours.
“If your dog does bark when alone, especially for long periods each day, you should seek advice and consider whether it is fair on either neighbours or the dog itself to continue in that way.
“The action by neighbours and officers shows that by not acting on notices or orders, and by persisting with anti-social behaviour, tenants risk losing their home.”
Anyone with concerns about unacceptable and persistent levels of noise can find out more details or report it here. Or, to report noise from domestic properties, contact the Neighbourhood Enforcement team on (01904) 551555.