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£900+ fine for Nelson dog owner!
Published: Thursday, 5th January 2017
A Nelson dog owner has been fined over £900 for repeatedly letting his white Staffordshire Bull Terrier stray in the Merclesden Avenue and Whitehough Place area of Nelson.
Councillor David Whipp, who leads on community safety and neighbourhood services, said:
“This is Pendle’s first prosecution for breaching a Community Protection Notice.
“Pendle Council and Housing Pendle have been getting complaints about this stray dog causing a nuisance since the summer of 2015,” he explained.
Despite repeated letters and visits, the dog owners, Kelly Mullins and Michael Rennie, did not respond to any of the complaints.
“They also failed to comply with the conditions of the Community Protection Notice we served on them,” added Councillor Whipp.
“One of our dog wardens witnessed this dog straying last year and tried to talk to the owners, but they refused to listen.
“Their refusal to sort out their dog problem has now proved very costly and they have racked up a whole series of expensive fines!” He said.
Pendle Council took the case to court in December after the owner, Michael Rennie of Whitehough Place, Nelson failed to pay a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice . He failed to attend the hearing at Burnley Magistrates Court.
He was found guilty of breaching a Community Protection Notice in his absence.
He now has to pay a fine of £660 for breaching the Community Protection Notice , a £66 victim surcharge and £180 court costs – all totalling £906.
“It’s been a long battle,” said Councillor Whipp, “but we have finally won and it’s a tough warning to anyone who is letting their dog stray.”
Dog Warden Laura Robinson added:
“You can report dog problems, from stray dogs to dog fouling and dangerous dogs to us via our website: www.pendle.gov.uk/dogs
“You can also call us if you see a dog straying or have lost or found a dog by calling 01282 661743 (or 01282 661999 if outside normal working hours) as soon as you can,” she said.
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