Labour Councillor Linda Mabon will table a motion at Thursday’s meeting of East Ayrshire Council.
A barking dog can rapidly turn into a nuisance especially when it comes to neighbours(Image: Iuliia Bondar via Getty Images)
A Labour councillor will call for stronger laws around persistent noise and nuisance caused by animals following growing complaints from residents.
A motion tabled by Ballochmyle Councillor Linda Mabon highlights concerns over ongoing disturbances — including “continuous dog barking at all hours of the day and night” — which have left residents without adequate protection.
The motion, due to be considered by East Ayrshire Council on Thursday, argues that current environmental health and anti-social behaviour legislation does not give local authorities sufficient powers to effectively deal with complaints involving animals.
Councillor Mabon’s proposal states that councils are currently limited in their ability to investigate and take enforcement action where pets or other animals are the source of persistent nuisance.
If approved, the council will write to the Scottish Government urging ministers to review and amend existing legislation.
The motion asks for laws to be updated to explicitly include pets and other animals within enforceable environmental health nuisance provisions.
It also calls for clearer powers for councils to investigate animal-related anti-social behaviour, including persistent noise complaints, alongside stronger enforcement measures where owners fail to control their animals.
Councillor Mabon is also seeking assurances that councils would receive sufficient funding and staffing resources to carry out investigations and enforcement work.
The motion further proposes inviting local government’s national body COSLA to support the position in an effort to establish a “consistent national approach” across Scotland.
East Ayrshire councillors will debate the motion on Thursday.
