A DISTRAUGHT pensioner today claimed she was being plagued by threatening letters complaining about her pet Doberman.

Kathleen Clark, 67, of Melville Drive, Blackburn, was upset when she received the third anonymous letter complaining about her dog barking late at night, but wants the sender to confront her about it.

She has lived at her current address for the past two years with her 10-year-old Doberman, called Sheba and has lived alone for the past 10 years since her husband died. She said she had previously lived in Mosley Street, Blackburn, for six years without any complaints.

She had been sent anonymous letters in April 1998 and June 1999, before the latest one arrived.

The letter reads: "Your dog and its constant barking is of great annoyance to the local residents of Melville Drive, Denville Road and Montague Street. We have written to you on other occasions and as the letters have not been acted upon, I have no alternative but to complain to the local council, the RSPCA and the police.

"To allow your dog to bark and to take no action is very inconsiderate of you. On more than one occasion your dog has been barking at 11 o'clock at night when people are trying to sleep. I don't mind your dog barking occasionally, but when it is for long periods of time and late at night this is not acceptable. Please try to keep your dog quiet and show some consideration for other residents, some of whom have lived here a lot longer than you." Kathleen, who has a son, Michael, 35, said: "Although the letter is signed from local residents, I think just one person sent me the letter. I was upset when it arrived because I knew what it was straight away.

"There's no way Sheba would be barking at 11o'clock at night. My nerves are bad enough to begin with and I just want to let them know what they are doing to me.

"After I got the last letter in June I bought Sheba a muzzle and boarded up my garden fence. I want this to stop and I want whoever is doing this to come and speak to me personally."

Her friend, Millie Weir, 72, of Denville Road, Blackburn, said: "I went round to my neighbours when Kathleen told me about this and they think they're safe when they hear her dog barking. That dog is a great big softie."

A spokesman from the RSPCA said they could not confirm whether or not they had received a complaint, but added that if they had it would be investigated.

Inspector Peter Zsigmund, from Blackburn Police, said: "Although we would deal with dangerous dogs, noise complaints would be referred to the council."

A council spokesman said no complaint had been received.

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