8:00am Friday 10th July 2009
By Andrea Collitt
A COUNCILLOR has been issued with a £50 fine for dog fouling.
Joy Frascinella, a parish councillor for Mistley, was allegedly caught allowing her pet to do the dirty deed near a children’s playground in the village.
Mrs Frascinella, who is said to own three Jack Russell terriers, has now been fined by the authorities, but has denied the allegations.
If she refuses to pay the £50 penalty, she faces court action and a possible fine of up to £1,000.
Mistley resident Bernie Flynn made the revelation during a Mistley Parish Council meeting.
He said: “One of the councillors let her dog mess near the play area where the children are.”
“I got in touch with the dog warden and she has had a notice.”
Mrs Frascinella was at the meeting, but did not respond to the allegations, and Mr Flynn was asked not to discuss the matter further.
After the meeting, Mr Flynn, of Stour View Close, said: “I think it is disgusting, I really do. A councillor should have known better and should be an example to everyone else.”
Nigel Brown, Tendring Council’s communications manager, confirmed a fixed penalty notice for dog fouling had been issued to a resident in Mistley.
He said: “The notice was sent on July 3 for an alleged offence on June 16 and the deadline for payment is July 17.”
“So far we have had no response to the notice.”
Mr Brown said the notice was issued as a result of a member of the public contacting the council and providing a statement over the alleged offence.
He added: “Although Tendring District Council employs two dog wardens, it is not possible for them to be everywhere around the district, so they rely on people to come forward with evidence.
“We also require any witness to be prepared to go to court, should the notice not be paid or if it is contested.”
Mrs Franscinella said: “This is an unsubstantiated allegation. I consider myself to be a highly responsible dog owner.”
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