Post by Mads on Feb 26, 2006 0:10:18 GMT -5
DNA TEST MY DOGGIE'S POO
Pet owner challenges fouling fine
By Alan Rimmer
DOG-LOVER Nicola Bell is demanding DNA testing on her pet's poo after she was fined £50 for letting her animal mess in a park.
Nicola, 32, claims her pooch Pippin was nowhere near the scene when the foul crime trook place.
Now she is demanding that dog wardens produce DNA evidence to back up their claims in a bid to clear Pippin's name.
The mum-of-two wrote to her local council, asking them to cancel the ticket issued to her after being hit with the fixed penalty.
But she was told the fine would still stand and she would face council prosecution unless she paid up. She pleaded not guilty by letter.
Mature student Nicola, of Faring ton, near Preston, Lancashire, said: "I have two young children and am well aware of the need for dog owners to pick up their mess.
"Pippin was on an open field and there were dog walkers everywhere. It could have been any dog. Only DNA testing will solve it."
She added: "I'm not going to pay a fine I don't agree with."
Nicola's demand came after commissioners on the Isle of Man announced that they were ready to DNA-test every mound of poo left by delinquent pooches.
Owners face fines of up to £1000 if the DNA tests match.
Council bosses in the Malew area, at the island's southern tip, will use by-laws to prosecute owners and have issued a Crimes toppers number for people to report messy mutts.
Spokesman Dave Barron said: "People are fed-up with dogs messing everywhere.
"We have tried putting up posters and talking to people.
"Now we are going to take action if we see anybody breaking a by-law."
Pet owner challenges fouling fine
By Alan Rimmer
DOG-LOVER Nicola Bell is demanding DNA testing on her pet's poo after she was fined £50 for letting her animal mess in a park.
Nicola, 32, claims her pooch Pippin was nowhere near the scene when the foul crime trook place.
Now she is demanding that dog wardens produce DNA evidence to back up their claims in a bid to clear Pippin's name.
The mum-of-two wrote to her local council, asking them to cancel the ticket issued to her after being hit with the fixed penalty.
But she was told the fine would still stand and she would face council prosecution unless she paid up. She pleaded not guilty by letter.
Mature student Nicola, of Faring ton, near Preston, Lancashire, said: "I have two young children and am well aware of the need for dog owners to pick up their mess.
"Pippin was on an open field and there were dog walkers everywhere. It could have been any dog. Only DNA testing will solve it."
She added: "I'm not going to pay a fine I don't agree with."
Nicola's demand came after commissioners on the Isle of Man announced that they were ready to DNA-test every mound of poo left by delinquent pooches.
Owners face fines of up to £1000 if the DNA tests match.
Council bosses in the Malew area, at the island's southern tip, will use by-laws to prosecute owners and have issued a Crimes toppers number for people to report messy mutts.
Spokesman Dave Barron said: "People are fed-up with dogs messing everywhere.
"We have tried putting up posters and talking to people.
"Now we are going to take action if we see anybody breaking a by-law."