Dog owners in Great Yarmouth could face hefty fines for not clearing pet mess
Up to £1,000 fine for failing to clean up after dogs
Dog owners in Great Yarmouth have been warned they could face fines of up to £1,000 if they fail to clear up after their pets.
This comes after a man received a £100 fixed penalty notice for not cleaning up his dog's mess in South Market Road.
He claimed he hadn't noticed the mess but admitted to not cleaning it, and paid the penalty in full.
A witness reported seeing the incident as children walked past on their way to school.
The penalty was issued under Great Yarmouth Borough Council's dog control Public Spaces Protection Order, first introduced in 2017.
The order covers wide areas of the borough and aims to encourage responsible pet ownership.
Under the order, those in charge of a dog must remove faeces from accessible public land, comply with instructions from authorities to leash their dogs, and adhere to lead rules in specific places like the town's Market Place.
Dogs are also prohibited on certain marked areas, such as play areas.
Anyone breaching the order is liable for fines under legislation designed to ensure dogs do not cause alarm or distress to others.
Councillor Paul Wells emphasised that while the majority of dog owners are responsible, there are some who fail to clean up after their pets or control them properly.
"The order enables us to take action against those who insist on being inconsiderate or, worse, causing a danger to others," Councillor Wells said.
Full details about the Public Spaces Protection Orders currently enforced in Great Yarmouth can be found on the council's website.