Woman fined for not cleaning up dogs’ mess

The woman was slapped with a £75 fixed penalty notice after she didn’t clear up the mess - the first following a new year crackdown by Stafford Borough Council.

The council started evening and dawn patrols last week after an increase in calls in January from residents about people not cleaning up after their pets. The council praised ‘responsible’ owners who have been supplying details of the times and places their selfish counterparts are letting dogs foul.

The offence happened near a footpath at Westbridge Park in Stone when the woman was seen letting two dogs out of her car. She did not clean up after them and a council enforcement officer issued her with a fine.

The woman from the Valley Road estate was said to be ‘furious’ claiming she normally cleaned up after her dogs.

Moments earlier an elderly man escaped a fine after being challenged by a fellow dog owner who handed him a bag to clean up the mess near to the park’s football pitch.

The council’s campaign was backed last year by the mother of a little girl left partially blind after falling in dog mess.

Councillor Frank Finlay, cabinet member for environment and health, said he hoped this would send a warning to other irresponsible dog owners.

He added: “It’s no use complaining when you get fined. All you have to do is pick up and bag the mess and put it in a bin - any rubbish bin.

“People are rightly disgusted when you don’t clear up after your dog - especially in such a public area as a park.”

Little Amiee Langdon was only two when she lost 75% of the sight in one eye after an infection caused by the mess left in a playground in Manchester. She had wiped her eye with her hand which was covered with dog’s muck after falling over. Amiee was diagnosed with toxocariasis, a disease passed on to humans by dog poo infected with roundworm.

There are dedicated web pages at www.staffordbc.gov.uk/dogs for more information on dog fouling. And to report incidents people can email info@staffordbc.gov.uk or ring 01785 619000.

Press Release No 4432