Two individuals have been taken to court by Caerphilly County Borough Council recently, for committing environmental offences.
Michelle Taylor was taken to court for allowing her dog to foul public land in Pontypandy in Caerphilly, and failing to pick it up.
Enforcement Officers from Caerphilly County Borough Council initially issued her with a Fixed Penalty Notice for the offence, although as a result of non-payment of the fine the matter was pursued through the courts.
Taylor did not attend court; therefore the case was proven in her absence. She was ordered to pay a £175 fine, together with £85 prosecution costs and a £15 victim surcharge.
Phillip Bartlett was taken to court for a littering offence. Enforcement Officers witnessed Bartlett discarding litter onto the football field at River Terrace, Fleur-de-Lys and left it there.
Officers initially issued him with a Fixed Penalty Notice for the offence, although as a result of non-payment of the fine, the matter was pursued through the courts.
Bartlett did not attend court; therefore the case was proven in his absence. He was ordered to pay a £175 fine, together with £85 prosecution costs and a £15 victim surcharge.
Cllr Rob Gough, Cabinet Member for Public Protection, Engineering and Transport said, “The vast majority of our residents take their environmental responsibilities very seriously and wouldn’t even consider littering or allowing their dog to foul public areas without picking it up”.
He continued, “However, there unfortunately still is a very small minority of people who think it is acceptable, and my message to them is that they will not get away with it.
“These cases illustrate our commitment to tackling these environmental issues, and I am pleased the courts have emphasised the seriousness of the offences in the fines it has imposed”.
To report dog fouling, littering or any other environmental concern, please contact Caerphilly StreetPride on 01443 866 566 or visit www.caerphilly.gov.uk/streetpride.
