A pet owner has been slapped with a fine of more than £1,000 after he let mountains of dog mess build up – on his own PATIO.
Matt Scott, 41, was prosecuted for refusing to clean up the “industrial scale” faeces belonging to his two of his bull mastiff dogs which festered for six months.
Burnley Magistrates’ Court, Lancs., heard Scott was fined after failing to observe an abatement notice issued by Rossendale Council in June of this year.
The order was imposed to clear up the pungent mess gathering on his own property – which is a rare misdemeanour for a homeowner or tenant to receive.
His neighbours in Haslingden, Grt Mancs., complained after they were forced to close their windows due to the stench of the dirty-protest.
Russell Murray, 66, who lives next door, said: “This got right up my nose – quite literally.
“The smell was absolutely disgusting – I had to keep my windows shut because the odour would get inside and as you can imagine it was extremely strong.
“I have dogs myself and I manage to pick up the mess, so why didn’t he? It was really awful.
“It was making things very difficult – I offered to give him cleaning fluid to help him clean the mess up.
“There have been flies and rats spotted near the dog mess and going into other people’s gardens.”
Mr Murray has lived at the property for ten years but the issues started in May 2016 after he asked his neighbour Scott to clear up the mess.
Scott was eventually ordered to pay a fine of £660, with £435 costs and a £66 victim surcharge when he appeared in court on November 8.
He has since moved out of the property.
Being fined for failing to pick up dog mess in private garden is rare, while anyone who refuses to clean up after their pets in a public place can face a fine of £75.
Cllr Jackie Oakes, portfolio holder for operations at Rossendale Council, said: “This was dog mess on an industrial scale.
“If I was a neighbour I would be absolutely mortified about the situation – we hope this can be a warning to pet owners that action will be taken.
“There are many reasons as to why this sort of situation arrives, pet owners can become overwhelmed and unable to look after their animals.
“Or, they can be ignorant and feel a dog only needs to be let out into the garden to satisfy its walking needs.
“The council should not be in a position where it has to take action like this. Clearing up after your dog is a basic duty of an owner.”
