Dog fouling fine

2:41pm Monday 30th June 2008

A REDDITCH pet owner has been fined for failing to remove dog faeces from the Winyates Centre.

Leon Essex, 37, of Winyates Centre, was fined £75 by Redditch magistrates in his absence and ordered to pay £141 costs for allowing his dog to defecate on designated land and failing to remove the faeces straight away.

Magistrates heard that an environmental health enforcement officer was on patrol in the Winyates area in October last year when he saw an unaccompanied dog defecate on a grassed area near to the shopping centre. The dog then returned to his home where the door was open.

The officer spoke to Mr Essex, the owner of the dog, and a £50 fixed penalty notice was issued for the offence. He failed to pay the penalty within the 14 days allowed, resulting in his court appearance before Redditch magistrates on June 25.

A council spokesman said: "Dog fouling is not only unpleasant and antisocial, it is also dangerous if not cleared. Although the two enforcement officers are proactive in Redditch, we appreciate information from the public, which helps us detect offences."

Councillor Colin MacMillan, portfolio holder for local environment, planning and transport, said: "I urge all dog owners to look after both their animals and their communities by ensuring they clean up after their pets."

Anybody wishing to report incidents of dog fouling can speak in confidence to enforcement officers by calling 534123.

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