Chafford Man fined for allowing dog to foul

A Chafford Hundred man has been fined by Basildon magistrates and ordered to pay costs totalling £1,727 for allowing his dog to foul a communal area and not remove it. On Wednesday, 12 August, Paul Halcrow, of Plymouth Road, Chafford Hundred, denied the charge under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environmental Act 2005. Mr Halcrow contended the land in question was not publically owned, but after seeing photographs and a map, the magistrates found him guilty of the offence which occurred on 24 November last year. The magistrates also heard he had been convicted of a similar offence before and sentenced him to a £750 fine, a victim surcharge of £75, with costs of £902, totalling £1,727. Thurrock Council's public protection portfolio holder Cllr Jane Pothecary said: "This is a great result for Thurrock Council and the local community in Chafford Hundred. "The majority of Thurrock's dog owners do clear up after their pets, but an irresponsible few are leaving play areas and green spaces a health hazard for their community to use. "This prosecution should send a message to those who do not clear up after their dogs, that the council will take action to protect our vital parks and green spaces."