Barking ban: Dog threatened with €2,800 ban

CROATIA: A fed up neighbour in a northern Croatia village won a temporary court order which states that Medo the dog must stop barking at night, The Guardian reported.  

In trouble for doing what all dogs do, Medo's owner Anton Simunovic must pay a hefty €2,800 fine if the dog does not stop barking.

The 3-year-old is no longer allowed to roam in the open but is confined in a barn between 8pm and 8am making him the only dog in Croatia to have the no-barking injunction.

According to the charges filed by the neighbour, the continuous barking affected her health. Simunovic however has said that this was untrue.

“He barks normally, like any dog does,” Simunovic said adding that “he barks when he sees a cat, or if someone unknown comes to his territory.”

Medo’s troubles have triggered widespread social media interest in the region.

A Facebook page supporting Medo has a following of 30,000 fans since the case hit headlines earlier this year.

Dog owners have sent hundreds of photos of their pets offering solidarity.

Even some cats have joined the campaign.

A final ruling is still to be made by a court in the town of Pula with the neighbour seeking €1,400 in damages. She made no comments.