 | Britain is lost, part MMCMLXIX. |
A dog owner is facing a bill of more than £1,000 for allowing his collie to foul grass outside his home. Paul Griffiths, who is disabled, was prosecuted after CCTV footage appeared to capture his dog Mitzy making a mess outside his council flat. The 48-year-old was at first given an £80 penalty, but refused to accept the fine, saying his dog had only been urinating.
Mr Griffiths, who has a lung disorder, missed the subsequent court hearing due to ill health and was convicted in his absence. He was fined £160 and ordered to pay costs of £883 at Bristol Magistrates' Court.
He said afterwards: 'I think it's disgusting. I took my dog downstairs for a wee and because she's a girl she squats.
Yeah, that's what they do...
'About a week later two dog wardens ...
TWO ?!?
... came to my house and said, 'Your dog fouled on the grass'. 'We can't see it, but we know she did, really!!' I said, 'No she didn't' and asked them to leave.'
Mr Griffiths, who is reliant on benefits, claims the images were blurred, and says he cannot afford to pay the penalty. 'They say I have 21 days to pay. How on earth can I do that? I'm on benefits.'
Bristol City councillor Judith Price, once a proud 'Dog Warden' herself, said: 'This owner showed no regard for his neighbours or surroundings and as a result now has to face costs of more than £1,000.'
A Bristol City Council spokesman named Hassan defended the decision to bring the case. 'Allowing a dog to foul a public place is unsanitary and totally unsociable as well as 'haram'. 'Next we'll be checking out what the dog does inside Mr. Griffiths' council flat as that too, by definition, is a 'public place'.' 'We want people to know that they will not get away with it and it will not be treated lightly,' he said. |