Advice was on hand for dog owners whose barking pets annoy their neighbours.

West Highland terrier Sam waits his turn

West Oxfordshire District Council environmental health officers and animal behaviour experts spent a day on Church Green, Witney, to raise awareness as part of Noise Action Day 2002. Council spokesman Phil Measures said: "The council receives on average at least one call a day for help or advice about dog barking. Often the reason dogs bark a lot is because they are bored and lonely."

Owners could also have their pets micro-chipped for £10 to make it easier for them to traced if the dog goes missing.