given until next Tuesday to put the dog in a new home.

Wayne Stoneham, 36, of North Shore Road pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court to being the keeper of a dog between January 9 and 16 that repeatedly made noise disturbing the neighbours.

He also admitted failing to comply with an order made by former local magistrate the Wor. John Judge to keep the dog in an enclosed area.

Prosecutor Sgt. Kenrick James told the court that on January 9 at 1 a.m. a neighbour of Stoneham's was woken up by the constant barking of the German shepherd.

"From January 10 to 16 she continued to be awoken in the early hours of the morning and finally reported it to Police,'' Sgt. James said.

"When Police went to Stoneham's home they could not get onto the property because the dog was snarling and growling.'' Sgt. James added that on March 3 Mr. Judge ordered Stoneham to keep the dog properly fenced in.

Stoneham said: "Before, I pleaded not guilty to the charges because I wanted to find another home for the dog before the magistrate ordered me to put it down, because that was what I thought he would tell me to do.

"I spent a lot of money building a nice kennel for him to live in but I didn't keep him in there for 24 hours.'' Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis said: "If you have an order to enclose a dog, you have to keep him enclosed. I could order that the dog be taken away from you.'' Stoneham replied: "I tried to explain to Mr. Judge that the dog stayed on the property and only barked when someone was in the yard, but he would not listen to anything I had to say..'' Mr. Francis adjourned the case until April 26, giving Stoneham time to find the dog a new home.