Man failed to clear 'vast amount' of dog dirt from back yard (From St Helens Star)

Man failed to clear 'vast amount' of dog dirt from back yard

6:30pm Monday 21st January 2013 in News

A MAN who allowed a vast amount of dog dirt to build up in his back yard – causing neighbours to complain about the vile smell – has been handed a £1,200 penalty.

Neighbours contacted St Helens Council’s environmental health officers because of the sickening stink coming from the rear of a house on Bruce Street, St Helens.

Officers sent out warning notices to the property’s resident Jonathan Roberts, 34, telling him to clean up and disinfect the yard.

But after he failed to take action the council decided to prosecute him for non-compliance of abatement notice. Environmental health officers said they had received repeat complaints from residents as far back as September 2010.

Others came between March 2012 and October 2012 about smells from the rear yard.

The disgusting smells got so bad that the council twice had to secure warrants to send clean -up workers in.

A St Helens Council spokeswoman said: “Occupants failed to respond to numerous council requests to clean up and environmental health were forced to serve notice notices on two occasions and obtain warrants to enter the property and clear the faeces using contractors.”

Roberts pleaded guilty by letter to St Helens Magistrates’ Court.

He was fined £500, ordered to pay £625 clean up costs and a £75 legal bill.