Barking dogs were the cause of more than 400 noise complaints reported to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council between 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023.
According to a noise complaints report by DAERA (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs), 821 incidents overall were reported to the council during the 12-month period, the second highest of local authorities in Northern Ireland.
Of these, 420 involved noisy animals. Loud music, television and parties accounted for 116, the second highest figure. Belfast had the highest number, 5,705.
Noise nuisance in Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough also included roadworks and construction which had 34 complaints with 16 relating to industry; security alarms, 15 and entertainment premises, 13; DIY, 11; sports and leisure, nine; vehicles, seven; agriculture, seven; house alarms, seven; delivery vehicles, four; loud speakers, three. One related to a wind farm.
In Mid and East Antrim, there were 629 noise complaints to the council during the same period. Of these, 243 related to noisy pets; 85 involved reports of loud music, television and parties; 51 involved construction and roadworks; 23, entertainment venues; 18, industrial and 10, agriculture; seven, vehicle horns and revving engines; five incidents of anti-social behaviour; six house alarms; four DIY noises; one security alarm and others.
By comparison, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council received 454 noise complaints. Of these 252 involved noisy animals. Ards and North Down, had a total of 754, of which, 496 related to pets.
The DAERA report stated that 11,338 noise complaints were received by Northern Ireland’s 11 local authorities during the 12-month period, a decrease of 14.5 per cent on the previous year. The number of notices served decreased by a third with a reduction from 344 to 225. Just two resulted in fixed penalty notices,
DAERA has attributed the reduction to a return to the workplace post-Covid.
The report stated:
“With all Covid-19 restrictions having been lifted in Northern Ireland during this reporting year, it has resulted in more peoplereturning to the office or adopting a hybrid working style.
“With the public now becoming more settled into this style of working, it may be reflective of the decrease in the total number of complaints received compared to last year.”
A spokesperson for Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council said:
“The council investigates noise complaints under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act (NI) 2011, but can only take action on noise disturbances that qualify as statutory nuisances that significantly affect nearby residents.
“Officers assess factors like noise level, timing, and frequency to determine if a nuisance exists. Initially, the council seeks to resolve issues informally, by advising those responsible on how to reduce the noise.
“If these informal efforts prove ineffective, a formal investigation may be carried out, including noise monitoring and site visits by environmental health officers.
“If a nuisance is confirmed, a Noise Abatement Notice will be issued, and failure to comply could result in prosecution in magistrate’s court. These investigations into noise nuisances follow established guidelines rather than personal opinions on what constitutes a nuisance.”
The Noise Act 1996 allows councils to issue warning and fixedpenalty notices and, in certain circumstances, to seize noise-making equipment from premises during night hours (from 11pm to 7am).
These powers apply to premises including dwellings, those with an exhibition or entertainment licence, premises with a licence to sell intoxicating liquor (including an occasional licence) or where meals or refreshments are supplied for consumption on or off the premises, or premises occupied by a registered club.