Two Llandysul dog owners have been ordered to pay over £3,000 for failing to control their dogs’ barking.

Mark Stuart and Julie Ann Thompson, of Temple Cottage in Velindre, denied failing to comply with a noise abatement notice but were found guilty by Llanelli Magistrates last week.

In a prosecution led by Carmarthenshire County Council, the court heard 16 complaints had been made by residents against the husband and wife between June and August last year, with some barking incidents happening at midnight and 4am.

Over 130 recordings of excessive dog barking were received by Carmarthenshire County Council’s through their Noise App tool and a petition contained 90 signatures.

Around 16 dogs were present at the property when visited by the council’s environmental protection team. The couple, both aged 55, were served the notice but failed to keep their dogs from barking excessively.

They were fined £500 each and ordered to pay £1065.13 court costs and each must pay £50 victim surcharge.

The council’s executive board member for public protection, Cllr Philip Hughes said: “The evidence clearly shows that there was a significant amount of disturbance caused by the barking throughout the day and night. The noise levels were consistent and totally unacceptable causing a lot of stress for the residents. This court case could have been avoided had Mr and Mrs Thomson taken appropriate action to keep their dogs barking under control as advised.”