​Pet owner’s £1,806 bill after refusing to clean up his dog’s mess

Bury man Oliver Robinson has been prosecuted after repeatedly failing to clean up after his dog.

The Six Town Housing tenant was given several opportunities by his landlord to remove dog waste and rubbish from his garden but refused to do so, and so the matter was referred to Bury Council’s environmental health team.

Robinson (aged 29) of Buller Street, Bury was served with a legal notice ordering him to remove the waste but he did not do so. The council then cleared up the waste and sent him the bill on three separate occasions, but Robinson failed to make payment and continued to breach the notice.

On 15 October 2019 at Manchester Magistrates Courts, Robinson pleaded guilty to failing to comply with an abatement notice under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. He was fined £480 and ordered to pay £673.06 in costs, compensation for clean-up works of £604.99 and a £48 victim surcharge: a total of £1,806.05.

Councillor Jane Black, cabinet member for corporate affairs and HR, said: “Refusing to clean up after your pet poses a health risk to the community and your neighbours, and we will take action against those people who do not take seriously their responsibilities as a dog owner.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 25 October 2019.