A DOG owner has been prosecuted for allowing his dog to foul in the street and failing to pick up its mess.

A home security camera captured the incident, which took place at around 11pm on January 27, 2025, in Launceston.

The footage showed a man, later identified as Guy Field, aged 61, of Robin Drive, Launceston, walking his dog off-lead. The dog fouled, and Field, who appeared to be on the phone at the time, continued walking and left the mess behind.

Allowing a dog to foul in a public space is an offence under the Cornwall Council Public Space Protection (Dogs of Land) Order 2023.

The case, prosecuted by Cornwall Council, was heard at Bodmin Magistrates’ Court on June 3, 2025. The matter was dealt with in Field’s absence after he failed to attend court.

After reviewing the footage, the magistrates fined Field £60, ordered him to pay a victim surcharge of £24 and £200 towards the council’s costs.

Councillor Thalia Marrington, portfolio holder for community safety and public health at Cornwall Council, said: “This type of behaviour is totally unacceptable and when we have evidence of someone allowing their dog to foul in public, we will take action.

“Dog mess is unsightly and unhygienic, and residents shouldn’t have to put up with it being left outside their homes.

“More and more people now have doorbell and home security cameras that capture these types of offences. I urge anyone with such footage to report it to us so we can trace those responsible.”

You can report an incident of a dog fouling via the Cornwall Council website.

Allowing a dog to foul without removing it is a criminal offence. This can be discharged by a Fixed Penalty Notice, but should the offender choose not to pay and are found guilty in court they will receive a criminal record.