A Caerphilly county borough man has been taken to court and prosecuted for a dog fouling offence.
Gordon Hamer of Pwll Yr Allt, Tir Y Berth was taken to court recently, after failing to pay a Fixed Penalty Notice of £75, issued to him by Caerphilly County Borough Council’s enforcement officers after they witnessed him allowing his dog to foul and then failing to pick it up in New Road Park, Tir Y Berth.
Mr Hamer appeared at Cwmbran Magistrates Court, where he was found guilty of the offence under the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996. He was fined £100, and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.
Cllr Rob Gough, Cabinet Member for Public Protection said, “I hope that prosecutions such as this one will act as a deterrent to the small minority of people who still feel it is acceptable to behave in this manner that it will not be tolerated. Where individuals fail to pay their fixed penalty notices, we pursue the case throughout court without exception”.
He continued, “This offence cost Mr Hamer a total of £200, which is a lot of money to pay for an offence which could so easily have been avoided”.
In the last financial year (2009/10), Caerphilly County Borough Council issued a total of 62 fixed penalty notices for dog fouling, and 39 for littering. Of the total figure of notices issued, there were 14 cases of non-payment of the fines, all of which resulted in court action.
Caerphilly StreetPride is a council initiative that brings together the services that keep Caerphilly county borough clean, green and safe.
Its aim is to work with residents to keep street and neighbourhoods at a standard that promotes pride and community responsibility.
To report dog fouling or other environmental concerns in Caerphilly county borough, please call Caerphilly StreetPride on 01443 866 566 or visit www.caerphilly.gov.uk/streetpride
