AN Oxfordshire woman has been ordered to pay a total of £400 after letting her dog repeatedly foul on public land.

A resident reported Toni Brayfield, of Westfield, Harwell, to the authorities after witnessing her fail to pick up after her dog on numerous occasions.

Oxford Magistrates’ Court heard how an environmental enforcement officer from Vale of White Horse District Council then visited the area and found several piles of dog mess.

The officer then wrote to Ms Brayfield about the issue and eventually issued her with a fixed penalty notice. 

However, she then failed to pay the fine and so was prosecuted for the offence.

Ms Brayfield failed to attend the hearing at Oxford Magistrates' Court on Tuesday May 1 and the case was proved in her absence.

Magistrates fined her £170 and ordered her to pay £230 costs for breaching the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996. 

Cabinet member for Housing and Environment at Vale of White Horse District Council, Elaine Ware, said: “Dog mess is both unsightly and potentially harmful to people’s health. 

"Anyone in charge of a dog is responsible for making sure that mess is cleared up and disposed of correctly. 

“Failing to do this shows a complete lack of regard for the environment, everyone in the local community, and also badly lets down all responsible dog owners.”