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Resident ignored four notices from Durham County Council to clean up 'unsightly' mess A dog owner has been fined over £750 for allowing his pet to poo in his own garden A dog owner has been fined over £750 for allowing his pet to poo in his own garden after neighbors complained about the smell.
The resident, whose name has not been identified, ignored four notices from Durham County Council to make amends before being brought to justice.
After residents filed their first complaints, the owner received a community protection warning last October.
Dog droppings left in a County Durham yard for months have led to the manhunt for a Stanley resident.
They were given a week to clean up the damage, but no action was taken when city officials inspected the property in Stanley, County Durham.
The resident was sued after violating a community protection notice for failing to remove trash from his property.
The defendant did not appear in court on April 19, but the absence of the case was shown.
The resident now has to pay fines and costs of £754.
A neighbor said: “I don't know the person involved, but I know that the neighbors are fed up with the smell and have to keep an eye on it all the time.
“It's pretty nasty, especially when the weather gets warmer. You can only imagine how bad the stench will be.
"I think everyone is very happy that the council has taken action."
Another said: "If you have pets, you have to clean them up, but at least all the mess is in your own yard and not on paths where children can get into."
The neighborhood guardian received another complaint on February 2 for dog droppings and garbage in the garden.
A violation letter was sent to the resident and another statement was filed with the court.
Ian Hoult, the council's Neighborhood Protection Officer, said: "The accumulation of clutter in the yard was not only unsightly, it was becoming a health risk, particularly for children in the area, which is unacceptable. ".
“We receive close to 4,000 reports a year of cluttered yards and yards negatively impacting our communities.
“After the investigation, we give people the opportunity to rectify the problem, however, we will take action against those who do not.
"We ask the public to report messy yards and gardens in their area via our Do It Online system or by calling 03000 26000."
The resident has until May 17 to pay £754 or face further legal action.
Durham County Council / SWNS
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