An 80-year-old grandad was left shocked after he was handed a £80 fine for going on a 10-yard walk with his dog without a poo bag.
Trevor Smith had parked up at Wolverhampton train station to collect his Metro newspaper last week when he got out with his two-year-old puppy.
He took his golden labrador called Ted for a quick stroll, but after taking just a few steps he was pounced upon by two council officers who ‘sprung up out of no-where.’
They asked him if he had any poop bags on him and the retired binman – who spent years picking up other people’s rubbish – explained he didn’t but that his car was parked just a few feet away, and could go and get them.
However the pair of inspectors said he needed to have them on him – and because he didn’t he was handed a fine for £80.
He told Metro: ‘I couldn’t believe it, if he had made a mess or had taken a dump in the road or the pavement I would have totally understood but I had basically taken a few steps out of the car.
‘I tried to explain to them that I was just going to get my paper and then we would be heading back to the car but they weren’t having any of it.
‘I do it everyday and go and get the papers so I can give them to my elderly neighbours and make their lives a bit easier, and this feels like I’ve been stung for trying to help out.
‘It won’t stop me doing it though.’
The father-of-one, who takes his beloved labrador pup for a walk at least twice every day said he’s never even seen the inspectors before, let alone received a warning.
He said his pooch, Ted, who was a gift from his son, was being fussed on by one of the inspectors, while the other handed him his fine.
He said: ‘The other one wouldn’t leave him alone, he’s good as gold and loves other people, he’s just the softest, nicest dog going.’
New laws aimed at trying to reduce the amount of dog litter in public spaces were brought in place around the UK in 2023.
On the spot fines were one way to try and combat the most common offence of dog owners – which is not picking up after their dog.
Should Trevor have been fined?
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Yes
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No
Local councils have varying methods for tackling the problem including Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs), which are intended to deal with nuisance or antisocial behaviour by issuing the fines.
However, these aren’t in place everywhere, with specific measures for owners in Hammersmith and Fulham in London, Lincolnshire, Doncaster and North Somerset. Wolverhampton is also included in this.
In an effort to catch repeat offenders, Canterbury council previously announced fines for dog walkers not carrying at least two bags.
Have you ever been fined for not carrying a poo bag on a dog walk?
If you have received a fine for this please get in touch with [email protected] – we would love to hear your story.
The retired binman added: ‘I’ve never heard of this before and I am sure that there are lots of other people in the area who also aren’t aware of it.
‘If anything I want to raise awareness of this. I’m going to have to pay the fine but others just need to be warned to always have a bag on them whenever they go out.
Ever
City of Wolverhampton Council spokesperson said: ‘As in this case, any person in charge of a dog on public land is breaching a Public Spaces Protection Order if they are unable to produce suitable means of removing dog faeces when asked to do so by an authorised officer.
‘These additional measures were added to the PSPO in 2023 following a public consultation in which 91 per cent of people strongly agreed.
‘Every day, dogs leave excrement on footways and public open spaces. Not only is it unsightly and a nuisance when you step in it, but contact can also lead to blindness due to an infection called toxocara canis.
‘Anyone wishing to appeal their fixed penalty notice can do so.’
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