Enfield dog owner told to pay nearly £2,000 after driving neighbours barking mad

The owner of a loud German shepherd ended up being taken to court by Enfield Council

A stock image of a German shepherd dog (credit Zeeshan Noor via Unsplash)

A dog owner who failed to stop his German shepherd barking after complaints from neighbours has been prosecuted by Enfield Council.

Yasar Mustafa, aged 39 and from eastern Enfield, was investigated by the civic centre after receiving complaints from his neighbours about loud barking from his pet dog.

The council received several complaints about the noise nuisance dating back to September 2024.

Mustafa was served a statutory noise abatement notice on 13th February 2025 for contravening the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

But after failing to control his dog’s barking, Mustafa attended a trial at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court in July this year, when he was found guilty of breaching the notice served upon him.

Mustafa attended court again on 6th August, when a judge ordered him to pay a fine of £250, the council’s costs of £1,500 and a victim surcharge of £100, bringing a total of £1,850.

The council says the case involving Mustafa is a “prime example” of how continuous loud noise like barking dogs affects people’s enjoyment of their homes.

Elisa Morreale, the council’s cabinet member for licensing, said: “Loud noise such as dogs barking continually is antisocial behaviour, and negatively impacts our residents’ lives.

“The action taken by our environmental health officers in response to complaints and disturbances in this case, demonstrates our commitment to prosecute those who do not comply with the authorities.”

However, Mustafa was allowed to keep his dog and continues to live in EN3.

For further information on the council’s work on noise nuisance:
Visit enfield.gov.uk/services/nuisances/noise-nuisance

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