Pet owner hit with large fine after failing to pay dog fouling fixed penalty notice

A Leeds resident has received a fine of over £800 after failing to pay a dog fouling Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN).

Ms Gina Williamson of Darfield Crescent was ordered to pay in total £833.34 (£300 fine, a victim surcharge of £30, and costs to the council of £503.34) at Leeds District Magistrates Court after ignoring two written requests to pay a FPN fine of £75. This followed a member of the council’s Cleaner Neighbourhoods Team witnessing Ms Williamson failing to pick up after her dog when it fouled on a public footpath on Ashton Road.

The council were left with no option but to prosecute Ms Williamson through the courts for two offences following the failure to pay the FPN in the required timescales. This included one dog fouling offence and an obstruction offence after the home address provided by Ms Williamson to the council officer was found not to be correct.

Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, Leeds City Council’s executive member for environment and sustainability said:

“Not picking up after a pet that fouls in a public area is completely irresponsible and inexcusable. Whilst we never want to have to resort to such measures, any dog owner who behaves in such a way can be assured that a fine will be issued if there is clear evidence they have broken the law.

“If a FPN is given, people should also be aware that we will take further action through the courts if the payment of a fine is ignored and if for example attempts have been made to not give the correct personal details to a council warden. As was the case here, this could result in a much larger financial penalty than what you have had to pay through a FPN.”

Notes to editors:

The case was heard at Leeds District Magistrates Court on 22 August 2017.