Woman fined for not clearing up her dog’s mess

A Tottington woman must pay fines and costs of £754 for repeatedly ignoring demands to clear up her dog’s mess.

Gillian Spooner, of Beryl Avenue, allowed piles of dog waste to accumulate in her back yard between August 2019 and January 2020.

Following complaints, environmental health officers at Bury Council served her with an abatement notice. But Spooner failed to comply with the order, and the council had to visit her property on three occasions to clear up the mess.

Spooner pleaded guilty at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court to numerous offences of failing to comply with an Environmental Protection Act 1990 Abatement notice.

She was fined £120 and ordered to pay £600 towards prosecution costs plus a £34 victim surcharge, to be paid within 28 days.

Councillor Kevin Peel, deputy cabinet member for the environment, said: “Piles of dog waste attract vermin and flies and, during heavy rain, can contaminate drainage systems and water courses. Dog fouling presents a further health hazard, as faeces can carry toxocariasis that can lead to blindness.

“On top of that, neighbours should not have to put up with the dreadful smell.

“We will continue to take action against offenders who refuse to clean up after their pets.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 18 February 2022.