Neighbour row explodes as businessman sues homeowner for £25k after dogs bark '74 times in 24 hours'
A finance executive has launched legal proceedings against his neighbours in south-west London, seeking £25,000 in compensation for alleged noise disturbance from their pet dogs.
Filippo Alloatti, who serves as finance chief at an investment company, has filed a High Court claim against Mohammed and Saima Uddin regarding their two German Shepherds.
The 46-year-old father claims the persistent barking has made his family's Streatham residence unbearable.
According to court documents, the Alloatti household feels compelled to vacate their property during weekends and holiday periods to find respite from the noise.
Alloatti's documentation reveals he recorded 74 instances of barking within a single 24-hour period.
The finance professional has maintained a detailed log of the disturbances since 2021, continuously tracking each occurrence.
The impact on his household has been substantial. His spouse has abandoned her home-based clothing enterprise due to the disruption, according to the legal filing.
The couple's three children, aged 16, 15 and 11, have developed a fear of dogs and struggle to focus on their studies.
FEDERATED HERMES
|Filippo Alloatti
The court papers indicate the noise levels have surpassed the World Health Organisation's recommended limits for residential areas.
The German Shepherds were bought in 2021 specifically to serve as guard animals for the property.
Court documents reveal the canines undergo training to bark when commanded and practice defensive biting techniques using protective sleeves.
The animals spend most of their time outdoors in the garden of the Uddins' six-bedroom property.
They rarely leave beyond the premises boundaries, according to the legal filing.
An animal behaviour specialist, Colin Spender, assessed the dogs and found they showed signs of anxiety and stress.
His expert evaluation forms part of the evidence submitted to support Alloatti's case against his neighbours.
Alloatti seeks not only financial compensation but also a court injunction requiring the animals be relocated or confined indoors during night-time hours.
GETTY
|The neighbour has two German Shepherds
His legal submission details unsuccessful attempts to address the matter directly with the Uddins before pursuing formal channels.
The finance executive approached both local council authorities and police regarding the disturbance prior to initiating High Court proceedings. These efforts failed to produce a satisfactory resolution to the ongoing dispute.
The Uddins maintain their position that the barking does not constitute excessive or unreasonable noise levels.
They contest the allegations presented in Alloatti's claim, according to court documentation.