A PET owner has been fined after allowing two dogs to stray in a public place and enter private properties.

Daniel Grounds, 25, of Howard Street, Thatto Heath was fined £320 after being found guilty at the Liverpool, Knowsley and St Helens Magistrates’ Court on Monday (September 12) for non-payment of a Fixed Penalty Notice after breaching a Community Protection Notice.

The court heard from the council's Dog Welfare and Enforcement Service how Grounds’ conduct was deemed persistent, of a continuing nature and having a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality.

Between February and May 2015, he had allowed two Lurcher type dogs to stray in a public place and enter private properties where they were not permitted.

Grounds was issued with a Community Protection Notice in March 2015 after failing to act on warnings issued by the service.

After the animals again caused a nuisance in May, he was issued with a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice - which was not paid within the prescribed time limit.

Grounds was fined £200, with costs of £100 and was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £20.

St Helens Council’s cabinet member for green, smart and sustainable borough, Cllr Seve Gomez-Aspron said: “Our Dog Welfare and Enforcement Service promotes responsible dog ownership - and this owner had been given ample opportunity to respond to the advice and warnings he was given.

“However, he chose not to do so and the service had no option but to use the anti-social behaviour legislative powers to resolve the matter for the benefit of the community."