Man fined £200 plus costs for dog fouling offence

A MAN has been fined £200 by magistrates for a dog fouling offence in Llanelli.

Anthony Andrew Tanti, aged 41, of Eigin Crescent, Mayhill, Swansea, was also ordered to pay £274.30 prosecution costs plus a £20 victim surcharge.

He was convicted in absence at Carmarthen Magistrates Court for an offence contrary to Section 3 of The Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996.

The court heard that council environmental enforcement officers were in a vehicle travelling along Caswell Street in Penyfan on February 14 when they saw a man and a woman walking a Staffordshire Bull Terrier dog along the grassed area near the road.

The officers saw the dog defecate and pulled the car into a layby and watched as the man and woman continued to walk away from the area.

The officers identified themselves and pointed out that the dog had defecated. The male said he didn’t have a bag to clear the faeces and he was issued with a fixed penalty notice as a result. However, no payment was ever received.

Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “Most dog owners are responsible and clean up after their dogs; however, there is a small minority who do not listen and we will not hesitate to fine them.

“Not only is it extremely unpleasant but dog mess can carry serious health risks.”

The public are being urged to help the council catch those responsible for dog fouling by reporting incidents. Call Carmarthenshire Direct on 01267 234567 or complete the online form at www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk/dogfouling