A Saundersfoot publican has picked up a hefty court bill after falling foul of the law when he failed to clear his dogs’ faeces up from one of the resort’s beaches.

Mr. Julian Bones, of The Captains Table, The Harbour, failed to appear at Haverfordwest magistrates court on Monday for a hearing, with the case proved in his absence.

He was found, on November 24 and December 31 of last year, to have been in charge of a dog defecating on Saundersfoot beach, designated land under the 1996 fouling act, and failing to remove faeces.

Prosecuting on behalf of Pembrokeshire County Council, in what is believed to be the first such case in the county, Jeffrey Harries said that the defendant had ample notification of the prosecution.

He said Mr. Bones had contacted County Hall in Haverfordwest on the day of the case by email seeking an adjournment in the prosecution, but attempted to contact various councillors rather than dealing directly with the appropriate department.

Mr. Harries said that Mr. Bones had been witnessed failing to pick up the faeces on both occasions by local residents, Mr. and Mrs. Bower, who recognised the defendant, who was walking his four bearded collies on both occasions.

The canine calls-of-nature were also recorded on the Bowers’ home CCTV, the court heard.

On the November incident, Mr. Bones was walking with the collies along the beach from Saundersfoot to nearby Coppet Hall, and appeared to be looking at his phone rather than noticing the dog. Mrs. Bower collected the dog faeces herself.

On the second occasion, Mr. Bower noticed one of the dogs had fouled on the beach, and, bizarrely, he appeared to be picking up the faeces, only to pick up a stone instead and then appeared to throw it into the Bowers’ property.

“The defendant effectively left the scene on both occasions,” Mr. Harries told the court. “There is no issue of recognition of the defendant.”

The court heard two £75 fixed penalties had previously been issued in December and January, but had not been paid by the defendant.

Mr. Bones was fined £220 for the offences, and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £450, and a £30 victim surcharge.Following the case Pembrokeshire County Council has vowed to persist in its fight against irresponsible dog owners who let their pets foul in public places.The Authority has issued 14 Fixed Penalty Notices in relation to dog fouling over the last financial year. This was the first to go to court.Cabinet member for regulatory services Clr. Pat Davies insists the crackdown on dog fouling will continue.“Dog fouling is a major concern for all communities in Pembrokeshire,” she said.“Pembrokeshire County Council is committed to reducing such occurrences and we will not hesitate to take legal action against the actions of irresponsible dog owners.”Pembrokeshire County Council’s public protection section is working with town and community councils to reduce incidences of dog fouling through the introduction of community dog watch schemes.The village of Saundersfoot successfully launched one in May of this year and a further two are due to start in the autumn. Clr. Davies added: “We are grateful for the assistance from the town and community councils and responsible dog owners who are taking part in community dog watch schemes.“Anyone who witnesses dog fouling that is not picked up and disposed of correctly should contact public protection on 01437 764551 or report it online via the authority’s website.”To report dog fouling online, go to www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/myaccount