A Dagenham resident has been ordered to pay more than £3,200 after repeatedly breaching a council-issued abatement notice relating to a barking dog that caused persistent noise nuisance for neighbours. 

Billy Adam Cockle, of Weston Green, Dagenham, appeared before Barkingside Magistrates' Court on 21 July 2026, where he was found guilty in absence of two breaches of an abatement notice served under Section 80 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. 

Barking and Dagenham Council issued the abatement notice on 3 October 2025 after receiving several complaints from residents about a dog barking persistently at the property. Recordings submitted through the council's noise app confirmed the nuisance was ongoing, intrusive and unreasonable. 

Despite the notice being served, Environmental Enforcement officers witnessed further breaches on 6 December 2025 and 5 January 2026 after responding to complaints from neighbouring residents. On both occasions, officers observed prolonged and continuous barking which prevented nearby residents from peacefully enjoying their homes. 

The court ordered Mr Cockle to pay a fine of £660, prosecution costs of £2,285.19 and a victim surcharge of £264, totalling £3,209.19. 

Cllr Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety, said: "Everyone deserves to enjoy peace and quiet in their own home. When noise nuisance has a serious impact on residents' quality of life, we will take action to protect our communities.

"Our officers work hard to investigate complaints and support residents, but where individuals ignore formal warnings and continue to cause nuisance, we will not hesitate to prosecute.”