Spring Hill: Dog owner convicted for pet fouling

An Accrington man who allowed his dogs to foul on two separate occasions on Ormerod St, Accrington, has been convicted in court and ordered to pay over £500 in fines and costs.

Council officers saw Nigel Hesmondhalgh, of Ormerod St Accrington, with his three dogs, none of which were on a lead, allowing one of the dogs to foul the garden area outside Scaitcliffe House and also on a grass verge further up the street. Mr Hesmondhalgh  failed to pick up the mess on  both occasions.

The incidents were recorded on CCTV and Mr Hesmondhalgh was issued with two fixed penalty notices, which he failed to pay.  He also ignored several attempts to talk to Enforcement Officers about the incidents and failed to turn up in court and so was convicted in his absence of  failing to remove his dog’s faeces from a designated area under Article 3 of the  Borough of Hyndburn (Fouling of Land ) Order 2007.

Cllr Paul Cox, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, said “There is no excuse for not picking up after your dog; we have plenty of dog bins around the borough. This case highlights that there is an irresponsible minority who fail to pick up faeces left by dogs in public places, which is not only unpleasant but can also transmit disease to other dogs and humans.  This case sends a strong message to irresponsible dog owners; we take a tough line on this kind of offence and will take people to court if necessary.  We also offer £50 rewards to people if their information leads to a successful prosecution for dog fouling as part of the Councils drive to tackle this issue.”

Residents are offered £50 rewards for information on dog owners who allow their pets to foul public spaces, as part of the Councils drive to tackle dog fouling.

Last year, 100 extra dog bins were placed around the Borough, bringing the total to 300, with another 54 in parks.  Free bags for owners to use to clear up their dog waste are available from Scaitcliffe House Reception and Willows Lane Depot Reception.

Several fixed penalty notices have also been issued by police community support officers in Clayton-le-Moors in recent months.

If the information provided leads to either a successful prosecution or the issuing of a Fixed Penalty Notice, then, subject to criteria and guidelines, the Council will give the resident who reported it £50.

To report anyone you witness allowing their dog to foul in a public place or any other dog related offence, please call the Council on 01254 388111 or visit www.hyndburnbc.go.uk.