Two dog owners are fined hundreds of pounds by Scarborough magistrates: here are their offences

Terrence Arey, of Queen Street, Scarborough, pleaded guilty at Scarborough Magistrates' Court on January 21, to a dog fouling offence and to obstructing a council dog warden in refusing to allow a dog to be checked for a microchip.

The offences were committed in September last year in Clarence Gardens. Arey was fined £300 and ordered to pay £120 in court costs and a £32 victim surcharge.

Deborah Lavender, previously of Skinner Street, Whitby, pleaded not guilty at Scarborough Magistrates' Court on January 31 to four offences involving her dog, which were committed in Little Park, Whitby, on May 10 and 12 last year.

Alcohol licence hearing held in private for ex-Filey pub landlord who received suspended jail sentenceLavender was found guilty of a dog fouling offence and having her dog off the lead within the park on May 10, and on May 12 having her dog off the lead and obstructing a council dog warden in refusing to allow her dog to be scanned for a microchip.

She was fined £740 and required to pay costs of £360 with a victim surcharge of £44.

A Public Space Protection Order is in place covering all public open spaces within the Borough of Scarborough, which requires dog owners to clean up after their dogs.

Little Park in Whitby is also subject to an all year round order, which requires dogs to be kept on a lead.

Harry Briggs, Scarborough Borough Council’s Deputy Operations, Transport and Countryside Manager, said: “Both these cases demonstrate that where we have strong evidence, we will take enforcement action against irresponsible dog owners and those that choose to ignore Public Space Protections Orders.

“Clarence Gardens and Little Park are popular dog walking areas and widely used by residents and visitors.

"They are regularly patrolled both overtly and covertly by our dog wardens, who operate a zero tolerance approach. All offences carry a maximum fine of £1000 and are enforced robustly.”