Woman fined over dog mess in her own back garden

A dog owner has been fined for refusing to clean up excrement left by her pet – in the back garden of her Lincoln home. Piles of faeces were left to stiffen in the open air in the back yard of the privately-owned house on Aberporth Drive, Birchwood, Lincoln.

Patricia Hazelwood was warned by council staff to clear away the mess after a complaint by a member of the public. But although the excrement was a hygiene hazard that attracted flies, she refused to carry out a clean-up. As a result, the council had to pay for the mess to be cleared away.

Lincoln City Council was then forced to take the case to court. Even then, Ms Hazelwood refused to appear when the case was heard by Lincoln magistrates. She was ordered to pay £565 in fines and costs in her absence.



After the case, city council dog warden Julie Nelder said: "Ms Hazelwood's garden was left in an unacceptable state and our priority is public safety."

The RSPCA said the court verdict sent out a strong message to those who fail to take proper care of their pets. Lincoln branch chairman Karen Ansell said: "Treading in urine and lying in it can burn a dog's skin, and of course that's not good for them.

"Normally people are warned and it doesn't go further, but maybe it's a good thing that this one has."