Garnant dog owner fined
A dog seen fouling on a housing estate in Garnant was followed home by council officers and its owner has been fined £290.
Tracey Louise Thornton was convicted in absence of an offence under the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996 at Ammanford Magistrates Court.
The prosecution was brought by Carmarthenshire County Council.
The court heard that environmental enforcement officers were on patrol in the village when they saw the dog roaming unaccompanied. He was seen fouling on a grassed area in the Maes Y Bedol housing estate.
The officers followed the dog home and saw it enter through a rear garden door of a house in Maes Y Hendre. They spoke to the owner and issued her with a fixed penalty notice of £75 for failing to clean up after her pet. However, it was never paid.
As a result Thornton, aged 33, she was fined £175 by magistrates and ordered to pay £100 towards prosecution costs and a £15 victim surcharge.
It is now hoped this case will act as a warning to others that anyone caught failing to clean up after their dog will be prosecuted. The maximum fine that can be imposed by magistrates is £1,000.
Director of technical services Richard Workman said: “Just because the owner was not with the dog it does not mean she is not accountable and in failing to clean up after it has committed an offence.
“We do not want to fine people, but this type of anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated and those caught flouting the law will be prosecuted.”
The council is working hard to tackle the problem of dog fouling and is appealing to the public to help identify those responsible. Enforcement officers regularly carry out patrols across the county and anyone with any information which may help is asked to contact Carmarthenshire Direct on 01267 234567.
Executive board member for the environment Councillor Philip Hughes said: “Dog faeces left anywhere is a serious health risk, the majority of residents take their responsibilities seriously but there is still a small minority who do not listen. I hope people take notice of this case. The council is committed to improving the environment for both residents and visitors.”
Tracey Louise Thornton was convicted in absence of an offence under the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996 at Ammanford Magistrates Court.
The prosecution was brought by Carmarthenshire County Council.
The court heard that environmental enforcement officers were on patrol in the village when they saw the dog roaming unaccompanied. He was seen fouling on a grassed area in the Maes Y Bedol housing estate.
The officers followed the dog home and saw it enter through a rear garden door of a house in Maes Y Hendre. They spoke to the owner and issued her with a fixed penalty notice of £75 for failing to clean up after her pet. However, it was never paid.
As a result Thornton, aged 33, she was fined £175 by magistrates and ordered to pay £100 towards prosecution costs and a £15 victim surcharge.
It is now hoped this case will act as a warning to others that anyone caught failing to clean up after their dog will be prosecuted. The maximum fine that can be imposed by magistrates is £1,000.
Director of technical services Richard Workman said: “Just because the owner was not with the dog it does not mean she is not accountable and in failing to clean up after it has committed an offence.
“We do not want to fine people, but this type of anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated and those caught flouting the law will be prosecuted.”
The council is working hard to tackle the problem of dog fouling and is appealing to the public to help identify those responsible. Enforcement officers regularly carry out patrols across the county and anyone with any information which may help is asked to contact Carmarthenshire Direct on 01267 234567.
Executive board member for the environment Councillor Philip Hughes said: “Dog faeces left anywhere is a serious health risk, the majority of residents take their responsibilities seriously but there is still a small minority who do not listen. I hope people take notice of this case. The council is committed to improving the environment for both residents and visitors.”
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