Two years after neighbors of a North Avenue kennel lodged complaints about loud barking, Rochester Town Counsel Blair Bailey said police will be asked this week to remove dogs from the property.

On Aug. 10, Selectmen unanimously revoked Liberal and Melinda Teixeira’s license for a kennel at Step N’ Stone Farm, located at 368 North Avenue.

When complaints surfaced in 2013, board members attempted to work with the couple to appease neighbors. The board set forth several conditions designed to reduce noise, such as installing outdoor kennels made of thicker material and setting parameters for when the dogs are allowed outside.

According to Bailey, the Teixeiras failed to meet those requirements.

One included reducing the number of dogs on the property from 16 to six. When it appeared that did not happen, an animal control officer was sent to investigate.

In response, police have issued six non-criminal citations that fined the couple $50 for each citation. Also, the Teixeiras will face a criminal complaint in Wareham District Court on Aug. 25.

Many neighbors were in the audience for Monday's public hearing, which the Teixeiras did not attend.

Blair said he hoped to have the dogs removed this week, but with Rochester’s animal control officer off duty police have been relying on officers from Marion, Mattapoisett and Acushnet.

“The problem is I don’t know when we will have an animal control officer and when we won’t,” Bailey said. “I can’t make a promise.”

If taken, the dogs would be brought to a Lakeville animal shelter.

Adding to the difficulty is the fact that one of the Teixeiras must be present when the animals are confiscated.

Neighbors said before police arrive following complaints the Teixeiras leave the house and return shortly after officers exit the scene.

Chair Richard Nunes said that shouldn’t pose a huge problem for law enforcement.

“The dogs have to be fed at some point,” Nunes said.

Selectman Naida Parker asked Bailey what would happen if the Teixeiras were to apply for five individual dog licenses, circumventing their lack of a kennel license. As Town Clerk, Parker is responsible for issuing dog licenses.

“My position would be that they’ve used that option up along with their ability to be a good neighbor,” Bailey said. Should the Teixeiras want to do anything related with dogs on the property they would have to appear before the Board of Selectmen, he said.

Parker said of the kennels in town, including 13 with a maximum of six dogs and two commercial kennels, Step N’ Stone is the only one generating controversy.

“Most people who have these licenses respect their neighbors,” Parker said.