Dog owner fined £150 after failing to clean up after her pet in Islington

A dog owner who failed to clear up after her pet in Islington has been taken to court and ordered to pay £150 in fines and costs.

Ms Daisy La Pierre's dog was seen to foul a footpath in Tollington Park, N4, on 21 December last year.

An Islington Council officer issued her with a Fixed Penalty Notice, but she did not pay it, so the council took her to court under its zero tolerance policy for dog-fouling.

She pleaded guilty by post to Fouling of Land by Dog - London Borough of Islington Order 2008, and on July 12 at Highbury Magistrates' Court was fined £100, told to pay £35 towards costs, and a victim surcharge of £15.

The prosecution comes as Islington's dedicated "dog squad", thought to be the largest of its kind in Britain, continues to patrol the borough to target owners who refuse to pick up, especially persistent offenders, and hotspots.

Cllr Paul Smith, Islington Council's executive member for environment, said: "We're on the side of residents who are sick of the small number of people who still don't pick up their own dog's waste.

"We have a 'zero tolerance' policy to dog-fouling - if people don't pick up, they will be fined, and if they don't pay they will be taken to court.

"Our 'dog squad' is patrolling hotspots and keeping an eye out for irresponsible owners."

The fixed penalty notice for dog fouling is £80, reduced to £55 if paid promptly.  Court fines and costs can lead to a much higher bill.

Dog owners of all ages are reminded: before going out with your pet, always take some plastic bags to clean up waste and when your pet makes a mess, always clean it up immediately. Then put the bag of waste in any rubbish bin

For more on Islington's Dog Squad see www.islington.gov.uk/dogsquad, and see #thedogsquad on Twitter for updates.