Lostock Hall dog groomer who campaigned over dog poo problem is prosecuted herself over foul smelling rear yard

Rachel Calvert, of Pretty Pups Dog Grooming in Watkin Lane, Lostock Hall, was prosecuted after failing to act when the council received complaints about the strong odour of dog faeces and urine emanating from the rear yard of her business.

It comes a year after she was quoted as saying “It’s horrendous, disgusting and lazy of those who allow dog fouling to happen" in response to fouling issues around Coote Lane, School Lane, Leyland Road, St Cuthbert’s Road, Fir Trees Avenue and the path from Watkin Lane to Wellfield Road.

The 37-year-old, who has six dogs of her own said at the time she was worried she was being "scapegoated" over dog fouling issues in the area, and had placed poo bags dispensers made from plastic bottles around the town.

Preston Magistrates' Court was told South Ribble Council's Environmental Health Department contacted her in response to local concerns and asked her to regularly clean the yard, but it did not result in any improvement.

The authority then took more formal action by issuing her with a Community Protection Notice (CPN) - a civil power - requiring the yard to be regularly cleaned.

But residents made further complaints which led to Fixed Penalty Notices being issued to her for breaching the requirements of the CPN.

Those penalties were ignored and the yard was still not cleaned as required, so she was taken to court by the council - but failed to attend the hearing.

Magistrates found the businesswoman guilty in her absence of four breaches of the Community Protection Notice.

She was fined £440 and ordered to pay £100 costs and a £44 victim surcharge.

Councillor Mick Titherington, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “We will always try to work with individuals in an effort to resolve any issues that impact the local community. However, in this instance, that has not proven possible.

“While it is regrettable that this action needed to be taken, the Council will always act to uphold public health standards in the interest of residents and the wider community.”

The Post has contacted Miss Calvert for her response.

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