Council Hopes Prosecution Will Warn Other Dog Owners

A man from Rotherham has been found guilty of not clearing up after his dog had fouled a grass verge in Caister, thanks to a prosecution by Great Yarmouth Borough Council.

Graham Wright of Gotham Road, Brinsworth, was visiting Caister in August last year when a member of the public noticed that he had failed to clear up after his dog had fouled the grass verge on Ormesby Road.

The member of the public highlighted the issue to the council’s Environmental Rangers, who were in the area.  Those Officers approached Mr Wright – who admitted to not clearing up after his dog.

It is an offence to not clear up after a dog has fouled on most public land and private land to which the public has access. The maximum fine for non-compliance is £1000.

Mr Wright admitted the offence by post and at Great Yarmouth Magistrates Court on Friday (February 12) was given a fine of £100 and the council were awarded £70 costs.

Great Yarmouth Borough Council Senior Environmental Ranger, Paul Shucksmith, said: “There is strong public opinion about the issue of dog fouling – it is not only anti-social but could be potentially hazardous especially to young children.

The council takes the problem very seriously and, as in this case, will prosecute if we get relevant information about offenders”