An elderly couple and council officials have settled a long-running dispute over complaints about barking dogs at their home.   

Michael and Irene Gant, 80 and 78, had launched an appeal seeking to overturn suspended jail sentences for breaching a criminal behaviour order.

Both were found guilty of breaching the court order by having too many dogs on their property in Weston Road, Norwich, on three separate occasions.

Eastern Daily Press: A criminal behaviour order banned Michael and Irene Gant from having more than four whippets at their propertyA criminal behaviour order banned Michael and Irene Gant from having more than four whippets at their property (Image: Jim Holden)

Mr Gant was also found guilty of not allowing council public protection officers to carry out an inspection in September 2021.

READ MORE: Norwich couple launch appeal over 'barking dogs' convictions

Norwich Crown Court had been due to hear their appeal against their convictions that saw them both handed 12 week suspended sentences.  

But the court was told last minute negotiations prior to the hearing had seen the couple and council officials reach an agreement. 

Eastern Daily Press: The council acted after complaints about barking dogs at their property on Weston Road in NorwichThe council acted after complaints about barking dogs at their property on Weston Road in Norwich (Image: Google)

Recorder Andrew McLoughlin said Mr Grant had agreed to drop his appeal while the council had decided not to oppose the appeal by Mrs Gant. 

“In the light of the agreement reached this court is not going to interfere therefore your convictions on three charges are no longer active,” he told Mrs Gant. 

“That means that the 12 week suspended sentence is no longer effective because the council have decided not to proceed in contesting your appeal.” 

Mr Gant was told his conviction and sentence remained in place. 

Eastern Daily Press: Irene and Michael Gant agreed a deal ahead of an appeal at Norwich Crown CourtIrene and Michael Gant agreed a deal ahead of an appeal at Norwich Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

READ MORE: Couple breached ‘dog Asbo’ over barking whippets

The couple were both made the subject of three-year orders in 2020 after enforcement action by Norwich City Council limiting them to keeping just four dogs at a time and not breeding puppies at their home.

It followed numerous complaints from neighbours about their whippets barking hundreds of times an hour.

More than 788 recordings of barking had been submitted to the council between June and September 2020. On one occasion, a dog barked 322 times in 10 minutes.