The owner of a pets’ retreat has been accused of breaking noise enforcement laws – because her dogs barked too loudly.

Angela Lomanto, of Three Pines Pets Retreat, appeared in Hastings Magistrates’ Court yesterday, where she denied three counts of failing to adhere to a council-issued noise abatement notice.

If found guilty she could be fined up to £20,000 on each of the counts.

It is claimed that she failed to abide to the Wealden District Council-issued notice on three occasions, on June 1, 7 and 9 last year, at the retreat in Swansbrook Lane, Horam, near Heathfield.

Papers released ahead of yesterday’s court hearing said that the dogs caused a “nuisance” because of their “barking... by reason of loudness, frequency and duration”.

It added that this was contrary to the notice which had previously been served under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Lomanto, whose age was not given, denied all the counts and was released on bail to appear at the court again on April 9.