Council Gets Tough On Dog Fouling

Released 19 January 2006

Communications

Exeter City Council has pledged that it won't stand for dog fouling and will do everything possible to bring any culprits to task.

The news follows a recent case in which Peter Kidd, of Sidwell Street, Exeter, was fined £100 for allowing his dog to foul at King George V playing fields, and ordered to pay Exeter City Council £841 in costs. The incident took place on 8 February 2005.

Mr Kidd was convicted in his absence, at Cullompton Magistrates Court, on 3 October 2005, but appealed against the conviction. The conviction was then upheld at Exeter Crown Court on 23 December.

Mr Kidd had previously sought to avoid the matter going to court by paying the fixed penalty at the last minute, but the Court agreed with the Council that in order to avoid prosecution he should have paid the fine within 14 days of being issued with the notice.

The Council regards dog fouling as a serious public nuisance and potential threat to public health and will prosecute offenders whenever the evidence supports it.

Cllr Barry McNamara, Lead Councillor for Environment and Leisure, said: "This case sends out a strong and clear message that we will not tolerate dog fouling in the city's streets, parks or any public space.

"Regular patrols are carried out throughout the city and we have the ability, under the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996, to issue on-the-spot fines to owners who allow their dogs to foul.

Last year we issued 100 fines, and between June and September last year, we carried out 1,500 patrols."

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