Dog fouling prosecution

A Herefordshire man has been fined £110 and ordered to pay £105 in legal costs for allowing his pet dog to foul a County street.

Robin James Beavan, 37, of Lowfield Meadow, Kingstone, was found guilty under the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1966 after a police officer on patrol caught his pet messing a verge in Kingstone’s main street.

The dog was on a lead at the time of the incident, which happened on May 25 2005, around 11.20am, Hereford Magistrates’ Court heard on Tuesday, December 13.

The magistrates agreed to hear the case in Beavan’s absence after he failed to enter a plea or appear in court for the hearing.

Naim Younis, prosecuting for Herefordshire Council, told the court that Beavan was initially issued a £50 fixed penalty but did not pay.

He was subsequently summoned to court to face a charge under the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1966.

When approached by the police officer and asked to clean up the mess, Beavan said that he did not have a bag and that he was out to collect his daughter from school, Mr Younis said.

Beavan added that he would clean up the mess on his return. 

Speaking after the hearing, Cllr Phil Edwards, Cabinet Member (Environment), said the court’s decision would act as a deterrent.

He said: “Dog fouling is an extreme case of anti-social behaviour and Herefordshire Council will have no hesitation in taking legal action against dog owners who fail to clean after their pet.

“The decision of the magistrates fully supports and justifies the actions of Herefordshire Council on this matter.”