Fine over dog smell from Chorley house
8:00am Saturday 23rd February 2013 in News
A dog owner who repeatedly let his dog foul his back garden but failed to clear it up has been fined in court following complaints about the smell.
James Smithies, 21, of Arnold Place, Chorley, pleaded guilty to seven counts of breaching an abatement notice following a prosecution brought by the council.
Magistrates heard that Smithies’ property had been subject to complaints about the odour coming from dog faeces in his back garden since summer 2011.
The problem became so bad at one point a neighbour suffered a fly infestation and was unable to open their windows due to the smell.
The court was told that despite continual dialogue between Smithies and the council he failed to keep his garden clear of faeces even though he said he understood his responsibility when served with a statutory nuisance abatement notice.
Councillor Terry Brown, who oversees environmental health at Chorley Council, said: “We’ve done a lot of work to remind people about picking up after their pet when out and about but it’s just as important that residents keep their own property clear of dog faeces.
“This was an extreme case, but it nevertheless serves as a reminder to dog owners that we will take action if it becomes a nuisance.”
Smithies pleaded guilty by post and was fined £340 for each of the first two offences. He was ordered to pay a contribution to the council’s costs of £500 and also a £15 victim surcharge.
