£1400 fine for Llanelli pet owner after neighbours suffer horrendous smell from dog mess

A Llanelli pet owner who repeatedly ignored requests to clear up her dog’s mess has been ordered to pay nearly £1400.

Llanelli Magistrates heard how the garden of Samantha Davies of Stryd Bennett in Llanelli was largely covered in dog mess, waste items and filth resulting in an horrendous odour and affecting neighbours nearby.

In a prosecution brought by Carmarthenshire County Council the court was told there had been a number of complaints from neighbours in the area and several warnings given by council officers of the state of the rear garden.

In April 2021 Davies was issued with an Abatement Notice under Section 80 of the Environment Protection Act by Carmarthenshire County Council ordering her to remove the waste and clean up the area within 28 days.

Five weeks later officers attended the property and found that the garden was as bad as ever and issued a further letter to Davies reminding her of the notice requirements. When the officer returned to the property on June 17 the garden was cleaner and had less waste.

However, the council received further complaints four weeks later of around 20 to 30 bags of dog excrement stacked up against a neighbour’s fence which were releasing an horrendous odour. Officers revisited the property and also found that a large numbers of stools were covering the patio.

Officers visited the property again on September 9 and February 16 this year and found the garden was still unkempt and patio slabs were covered with faeces with some appearing to have been there for several months.

Davies was not present in court but admitted breaching the notice twice and was fined £300 for each breach. She was ordered to pay £701 costs and £60 victim surcharge.

The notice is still active.

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