A dog owner has been hit with a £555 bill having failing to pick up after his dog fouled at a cemetery.

Phillip Andrew Gabriel, 34, of Meadoway, Church, had been issued with an on-the-spot £75 fixed penalty notice by the dog warden.

Hyndburn council said the notice was given after the dog warden witnessed Gabriel failing to pick up after his American bulldog type dog, which had fouled in Dill Hall Cemetery.

Gabriel was convicted in his absence at Hyndburn Magistrates Court of failing to clean up after his dog, fined £220 and ordered to pay a £22 victim surcharge and £313 costs.

Coun Paul Cox, cabinet member for environmental issues, said; “Dog wardens patrolled the area after complaints from cemetery visitors about dog fouling instances there. This case should serve as a warning to those irresponsible dog owners who refuse to pick up after their dogs, dog fouling is always an unwelcome anti-social issue, but in a cemetery setting it’s particularly upsetting and disrespectful to people visiting loved ones’ graves.”

Anyone who witnesses dog fouling should call Hyndburn council on 01254 388111.