A man who refused to clean up his dog’s mess has been fined £200.

Shane O’Brien, of Cherry Close, Sittingbourne, was seen by a Swale council street warden leaving North Street, Milton Regis, after the dog had defecated on April 20.

He was stopped and issued with a fixed penalty notice for £80 for failing to remove the faeces under The Fouling of Land by Dogs (Swale) Order 2007.

The 21-year-old did not pay the fine, which resulted in the council prosecuting him for the original offence.

O’Brien did not attend the hearing at Sittingbourne Magistrates’ Court and was found guilty in his absence on November 22.

In sentencing, the Magistrates said dog fouling was such antisocial behaviour the sentence should fit the offence and O’Brien was fined £200, ordered to pay £100 costs to the council, and a £15 victim surcharge.

Cllr David Simmons, Swale council’s executive portfolio holder for the Environment and Rural Affairs, said: “Swale Borough Council and its partners take the offence of dog fouling very seriously.

“Although many dog owners are extremely responsible, there is a small contingent who fail to clean up after their dogs. There is absolutely no excuse for this behaviour.

“As well as being unsightly, there are health risks associated with dog waste. The residents of Swale have asked us to take action over dog fouling and we have listened.

“This result sends out a strong message that our officers will patrol key areas and take the appropriate action against anyone who fails to clean up after their dog.”