Another dog owner has been prosecuted after failing to pick up dog poop on Gorleston’s seafront, witnessed by one of the bnorough’s environmental rangers.

The whole borough is covered by the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996, meaning those who fail to clear up can incur a fine of up to £1,000 in the courts. The borough council has three environmental rangers, who continue to appeal to residents to report any dog owners seen breaking the law.

Last week, Alan Tills, aged 75, of Tollgate Road, Southtown, pleaded guilty at Great Yarmouth Magistrates’ Court to an offence of dog-fouling. The offence, witnessed by an environmental ranger, took place at Marine Parade, Gorleston, on October 17 last year

He was fined £80 and given an absolute discharge.

“Dog-fouling is an issue across the UK. It looks unsightly, carries the risk of blindness through toxocariasis, and is certainly not welcome in a premier coastal resort which relies on a positive visitor experience.”

• Great Yarmouth Borough Council has a strong record for enforcement on dog-fouling, with eight prosecutions, six fixed penalty notices issued and one simple caution issued since January 2015. Since 2010, the borough council has taken formal action in 68 cases of dog-fouling.

The enforcement policy for dog-fouling changed in June 2015.

Previously, where there was sufficient evidence, the council would first issue an £80 Fixed Penalty Notice (or £60 if paid within 14 days). If the notice was not paid, the borough council would then prosecute.

Since June 2015, the borough council goes straight to prosecution, where there is sufficient evidence and where it is appropriate. The burden of proof required to issue a fixed penalty notice or bring a successful prosecution is the same.

The borough council’s environmental rangers proactively tackle dog-fouling with a zero-tolerance policy and have one of Norfolk’s best records for enforcement on environmental crimes.

Where there is enough evidence, offenders will be brought to court to support work to raise awareness of just how seriously the borough council views such crimes.