Dog owner fined £420 over mess
A pet owner has landed a £420 court bill after failing to pick up after his dog.
It is the latest court prosecution in Sandwell Council's 'zero tolerance' dog fouling crackdown.
And it follows news that wardens have fined almost 60 people since a hard-hitting dog fouling poster campaign launched in February.
Chris Price, aged 29, of Alfred Gunn House, Thompson Road, Oldbury was found guilty of failing to clean up after his dog in grounds of Alfred Gunn House on 19 March 2014.
What do you think of the big fines for irresponsible dog owners? Have your say in the comments below.
He was identified from CCTV footage and issued with a fixed penalty notice of £75. He did not pay so the council took him to court.
The case was proved in his absence at Black Country Magistrates' Court on September 23 and he was fined £200 and ordered to pay £200 in costs and a £20 victim surcharge.
Councillor Maria Crompton, Sandwell Council's cabinet member for highways and environment said: "Dog fouling is disgusting, looks horrible, is a serious health hazard and costs taxpayers money to clean up. We refuse to put up with it any longer and hope this sends out a firm message to all irresponsible dog owners.
"The vast majority of people pay the £75 fine – but this case is a reminder that we will take those who don't pay to court where they are likely to receive a much bigger fine.
"The vast majority of dog walkers are responsible – and we've been helping them out by giving out free dog mess bags.
"We hope the irresponsible few are now learning that we mean business in our 'zero tolerance' stance on this issue, which many people tell us is their number one concern."
