Barking dogs cost couple £1,250

A couple have been ordered to pay a total of £1,250 in fines and costs for breaching a noise abatement notice over their barking dogs.

Andrew and Susan Watts, of Chescombe Road, Yatton, admitted three offences of failing to comply with the notice at North Somerset Magistrates' Court.

The court heard that North Somerset council sent letters after complaints and then served an abatement order.

Six days later a council official noted 1,303 barks over a 32-minute period.

The magistrates fined Mr and Mrs Watts £50 each for each of the three offences and ordered them to pay £475 each towards the council's costs.