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Environment officers are working closely with a popular
charity in an effort to reduce noise levels from its animal
shelter.
Tendring District Council (TDC) received complaints about
barking coming from the site run by Clacton Animal Aid in The
Street, Little Clacton.
Officers investigated the noise levels and confirmed that there
was a statutory nuisance and they are helping those in charge to
try to come up with a suitable solution.
Following on site discussions held today (February 25) new
measures are to be put in place and the situation will be monitored
for two weeks to see if there is an improvement.
The dogs will be fed inside - rather than outside - to help
reduce the noise. Background music will also be introduced as it
has proved successful in calming dogs elsewhere.
Officers will see how the changes work and whether they lead to
improvements for those who have complained about the barking
dogs.
If the initiatives are successful it will be the end of the
matter. However, if the noise nuisance persists the situation will
be looked at again in two weeks time and new steps will be
considered.
Alan Stypulkowski, Assistant Head of Environmental Services at
TDC, said that real progress was being made.
"We talked through the whole process with those who run Clacton
Animal Aid and we were there for about one and a half hours," he
said.
"We reiterated that we had no intention of wanting to close the
site down but we needed to look at ways the noise could be reduced
so it was no longer a nuisance."
Mr Stypulkowski added that there was also a bridle path running
alongside the sanctuary and that quad bikes, horse riders and
others using the path could be contributing to starting the dogs
barking. That would also be looked into.
Michael Talbot, Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services at
TDC, said it was a difficult situation but the Council had a legal
obligation to respond to all complaints of this kind.
"Whether it is a noisy party, loud music, or barking dogs we
must respond to complaints with an investigation," he said. "If
there is found to be a nuisance then we have to take action."
Cllr Talbot said the officers would continue to work with the
charity to try to reach a satisfactory
conclusion. |