PEOPLE in east Durham are being warned they face being taken to court and fined if they mess up the environment.
People who breach laws against fly-tipping and dog fouling will be prosecuted if they are caught by Easington District Council.
Three people were fined up to £100 and ordered to pay £76 costs by Durham Magistrates for allowing their dogs to foul public land and not clearing up the mess. The maximum penalty is £1,000.
A woman was fined £100, with £76 costs, by the court after being prosecuted for flytipping.
Ian Harrison, the council's senior environmental warden, said: "Hopefully these cases will serve as an example to others to play their part in keep the district clean and tidy."
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