A LLANON woman has been prosecuted for allowing her dog to foul and not clearing up the faeces immediately.
Antoinette Bell, of Heol Morlais, was convicted at Carmarthen Magistrates Court in her absence of an offence contrary to Section 3 of the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996.
She was fined £200 and ordered to pay £382.30 prosecution costs and a £20 victim surcharge.
The court was told that on February 8 two Carmarthenshire County Council environmental enforcement officers were travelling in their vehicle along the A476 from Llanelli to Llannon when they saw an unaccompanied Chocolate Labrador dog defecate on a grass verge adjacent to the highway in Llannon.
The officers parked their vehicle and approached the dog which had no form of identification. Following unsuccessful attempts in finding the owner of the dog, Bell was seen driving her vehicle out of a local property. She informed the officers that the Labrador belonged to her.
She was issued with a fixed penalty notice and was prosecuted for the offence after failing to pay it.
Council executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “Dog fouling is a top priority for the council. Anyone who is in charge of a dog in a public place must clean up after it. Dog mess left anywhere can be a serious health risk.”
Residents are being urged to help the council catch offenders by reporting dog fouling incidents as part of the ‘Dog Watch’ scheme.
Call Carmarthenshire Direct on 01267 234567 or complete the online form at www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk/dogfouling
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