Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I request the following information relating to investigations into allegations of barking dogs and dog-related noise nuisance for the period 1 August 2021 to 31 July 2026. Please provide:

1. The total number of complaints received relating to barking dogs.

2. Of those complaints:
● How many resulted in a formal investigation?
● How many were found to constitute a statutory nuisance?
● How many resulted in no further action?

3. The number of:
● Community Protection Warnings (CPWs);
● Community Protection Notices (CPNs);
● Noise Abatement Notices;
● Fixed Penalty Notices;
● Prosecutions;
● Any other formal enforcement action,
issued in relation to barking dogs or dog-related noise nuisance.

4. For each enforcement action, please state:
● the year it was issued;
● the type of enforcement action;
● whether it related to domestic premises or commercial premises (where recorded).

5. Does the Council use any objective noise threshold (for example, a decibel level) when determining whether barking amounts to a statutory nuisance? If so, please provide:
● the threshold(s);
● the equipment used;
● where measurements are normally taken;
● any guidance given to officers.

6. If the Council does not use a specific decibel threshold, please confirm this and explain the criteria used to determine that barking constitutes a statutory nuisance.

7. Please provide copies of any current:
● policies;
● guidance notes;
● officer procedures;
● decision-making frameworks;
● training documents,
used when investigating barking dog complaints.

8. Please provide copies of any standard forms used by officers, including:
● witness diary sheets;
● officer assessment forms;
● evidence checklists;
● investigation templates;
● decision records,
with any personal information redacted where necessary.

9. During the last five years, has the Council ever relied solely upon:
● a complainant’s diary sheets;
● audio or video recordings supplied by a complainant;
● a complainant’s witness statement,
without an officer personally witnessing the barking? If yes, please explain the circumstances or policy.

10. Has the Council adopted any minimum evidential standard before formal enforcement action is taken against a dog owner? If so, please provide details.

If any of the requested information is already publicly available, please provide the relevant links.