A MAN who let his dog foul a churchyard grave has been ordered to fork out more than £1,000 in fines and costs.

Richard Bussey was spotted walking his three black spaniel-type dogs by two members of the public in the grounds of St Michael’s Church in Salwarpe on Friday, October 14, 2011.

They asked the 54-year-old to keep the dogs on a lead, but he said he did not use one.

They then witnessed one of the dogs fouling in the churchyard on one of the graves.

Bussey was asked if he was going to pick it up, but they reported that he just waved and continued on.

As the witnesses had been taking pictures of a grave in relation to an enquiry, they were able to photograph the offence and Bussey’s vehicle, which aided the prosecution brought against him by Wychavon District Council.

Bussey, of Crown Lane Nursery, Wychbold, near Droitwich, appeared before Worcester magistrates, where he was found guilty of not keeping his dogs on a lead and letting one of his dogs defecate in the churchyard.

He was fined £200 on each charge, and ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge. The council’s costs, totalling £1,153, were awarded in full.

After the hearing Dave Roberts, environmental crime enforcement officer, said: “Dog fouling is unsightly and a health hazard wherever it happens, but in a churchyard, which is a sacred place, it causes visitors and grieving relatives huge distress.

“Whenever we have enough evidence we always pursue these matters and we will continue to be tough on people who allow their dogs to foul any public spaces, parks and footpaths.”

Wychavon has recently launched a campaign to highlight the increase in dog mess in public spaces due to of a minority of irresponsible dog owners not picking up after their pets.

The council has put up Keep Britain Tidy posters around its parks and open spaces that depict a fairy carrying a bag of dog poo and stating there is “no such thing as the dog poo fairy”.

The council is also marking dog mess to highlight the problem before cleaning it away as part of the regular daily sweeps it does in parks and open spaces.

Dog owners who fail to clean up after their canines can face fines ranging from a £75 fixed penalty, up to £1,000 if it goes to court.

Anyone who sees someone allow their dog to foul a footpath should report them by calling 01905 765765 or go to whub.org.uk.