A BACKWELL man has been fined again after subjecting his neighbours to the constant barking of his dogs.

Roger Fowler appeared at North Somerset Courthouse on December 18 where he pleaded not guilty to contravening a noise abatement notice.

The 51-year-old of Alison Gardens had been issued with the notice by North Somerset Council in May 2007 after numerous complaints about barking dogs at his home.

In May 2011, he was taken to court by the authority for breaching the notice and was fined �250 and ordered to pay �750 in costs.

During his latest appearance, the court heard that following further complaints about the noise, a council officer visited Fowler’s home and counted 863 barks in just 23 minutes.

The magistrates found that Fowler was in breach of the notice, fined him �1,000 and ordered him to pay �2,383 in legal costs.

North Somerset Council’s executive member for environment Peter Bryant said: “Noise abatement notices are served after we have tried to resolve the noise issue.

“This man continues to disregard the notice and his responsibilities to the people who have the misfortune to live near him and have to suffer the constant barking from his dogs.

“I am pleased the magistrates have fined him as they have and also paid us the costs of bringing the case to court.”