A MAN is facing a legal bill of almost £400 after failing to clean up after his dog.

Ralph Kettell, 51, of Station Road, Easington Colliery, was issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) after a neighbourhood warden from Durham County Council spotted his Jack Russell fouling on land near Kettell’s home.

Kettell was summonsed to appear at Newton Aycliffe Magistrate’s Court after failing to pay the FPN. He did not attend court and did not enter a plea.

The case was proved in his absence and he was fined £220 and ordered to pay £130 in legal costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

County council neighbourhood protection officer Ian Hoult said: “Dog fouling is detrimental to the environment and poses a health risk, particularly to children. It’s important that people understand that it will not be tolerated in our communities.”