After numerous warnings to quiet barking dogs, a criminal complaint has been filed against a Rochester couple operating a kennel on North Avenue.

Town Counsel Blair Bailey told Selectmen and property abutters on Monday night that Liberal and Melinda Teixeira, of 368 North Avenue, failed to comply with a set of conditions imposed last year.

“Frankly, I hope we move forward with the criminal complaint very quickly,” Bailey told the neighbors. “I can’t even pretend to know what it’s like to live in your neighborhood.”

The complaint was filed last week in Wareham District Court. If upheld, a court order could then be issued requiring the couple to remove the dogs.

The Teixeiras own and operate Step N’ Stone Farm. According to the business’s website, the couple breeds golden retrievers and a mixed breed of retrievers and poodles, known as golden doodles.

Complaints of loud barking surfaced in 2013. In meeting with Selectmen, it was discovered the Teixeiras exceeded the number of dogs allowed under their kennel license.

Bailey said the town’s animal control officer has visited the property at least three times. Violation notices were issued each time because there were more dogs on the property than allowed.

Bailey said Melinda visited Police Chief Paul Magee soon after receiving the tickets.

“Mrs. Teixeira came in very concerned about the tickets and criminal violation. So, hopefully we have gotten their attention,” Bailey said.

Selectman Chair Richard Nunes asked if anything had been done to reduce the barking.

“The short answer is ‘no,’” Bailey said. “The animal control officer said one time she went out and counted more dogs.”

Selectmen had required that the number of dogs on the property be reduced from 16 to six to lessen the noise.

While police are pursuing the criminal complaint, Bailey said he would address the issue as a civil matter.

“I intend to use whatever avenues are needed to get [the Teixeiras] to comply or eliminate the problem,” Bailey said.

The phone number listed on the Step N' Stone website was out of service when Sippican Week attempted to reach the Teixeiras for comment.