Council enforcement leads to conviction over dangerous dog control breach
Gorfodi gan y Cyngor yn arwain at euogfarn am dorri cyfraith rheoli cŵn peryglus
A dog owner has been ordered to pay £1,082.50 after breaching a notice imposed following a dog attack.
During a hearing at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Monday, October 26, a number of incidents were described, which had led to Pembrokeshire County Council serving a Community Protection Warning Notice, followed by a Community Protection Notice with requirements to keep the dog under control.
The court heard that the Council served a Community Protection Notice on Bevis Musk, of Burton Ferry, on 24 February, after his dog had attacked another dog.
At the time of the incident Musk was unable to take control of his dog which was running freely.
This was described to the bench as one of a few instances where his dog had attacked other dogs in the locality.
The notice had required Musk to ensure his dog, a black lab type, was kept on a lead at all times and muzzled when in a public place.
Musk was also required to make sure that the animal was accompanied by a responsible person, so that it did not cause fear or alarm to members of the public.
Evidence was provided by the victim and the Authority’s dog warden during the hearing.
The Court found Musk guilty of breaching the terms of the Notice.
He was fined £500 and ordered to pay a £200 victim surcharge, plus £382.50 costs.
The Council urges dog owners to ensure that they enjoy walking their dogs responsibly and are able to properly control their pets.
A Responsible Dog and Pet Ownership Policy was recently introduced by the Authority for all contract holders who live in PCC properties.
The Council also recently received a national award from the RSPCA for work they have delivered around responsible dog ownership.
A spokesman said: “Every dog owner in Pembrokeshire is expected to be responsible for their pets and to control their pets.”