Litter louts and dog foulers get their comeuppance

SOME 227 dirty dog owners and litter louts were fined in Carmarthenshire last year.

Figures show that 194 people were fined for throwing litter between April 1, 2010 and March 31, 2011.

Another 26 people were fined for failing to clean up after their pets and seven people were fined for fly-posting.

The fixed penalty notices for £75 (reduced to £50 if paid within 10 days) were issued by the council’s environmental enforcement officers.

The council took 20 of these people to court for non-payment and a further 23 people are awaiting court action.

Director of Technical Services Richard Workman said: “Litter and dog fouling are important concerns for communities and the council shares these concerns.

“We are determined to keep the county safe and clean for both residents and visitors and if we have to fine people, we will.”

Environmental enforcement officers regularly carry out patrols across the county. They deal with all types of environmental crime from unlicensed waste carriers to abandoned and nuisance vehicles to fly-tipping and dog fouling.

They also work in partnership with a number of other agencies including Dyfed-Powys Police, the Environment Agency, Keep Wales Tidy, DVLA, Customs and Excise, Department for Work and Pensions and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA).

Executive Board Member for the Environment Cllr Philip Hughes said: “Dropping litter is against the law; whether it is discarding rubbish from a vehicle, throwing cigarette ends or spitting out chewing gum and dog faeces left anywhere is a serious health risk.

“Hopefully these fines will act as a warning to others that this type of anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated. The council is committed to improving the quality of the environment in Carmarthenshire and will not hesitate to punish those that flout the law.”

Any income generated from the fines is ploughed back into the street-cleansing budget to help keep the county clean.