A DOG owner who failed to pick up after his pet that had fouled on a footpath now faces a bill of nearly £600.

Dominic Mayers, 19, of Foster Street, Chorley, was found guilty in his absence by the town’s magistrates after he failed to turn up at court.

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He was fined £200, and ordered to pay costs of £371.50 plus a £20 victim surcharge after magistrates heard that a council officer on patrol in the area had seen his dog foul on a footpath between Stump Lane and Highfield School playing fields.

Mayers walked past the dog as it was fouling and walked past the council officer, making no attempt to stop and pick up the mess the dog had left. The officer spoke to Mayers who said he did not have any poo bags with him.

He was given a fixed penalty notice by the officer but he failed to pay it, despite two reminders being sent to him by the council.

Cllr Paul Walmsley, who tackles dog fouling issues for Chorley Council, said: “This area is close to a primary school and dog mess can be dangerous for children. It is extremely selfish of people not to pick up after their pet.”