Falmouth Man Fined £668 for Ignoring Summer Dog Ban on Cornish Beach

In a recent ruling by Truro Magistrates Court, a Falmouth man was ordered to pay £668 in fines and costs for violating a summer dog ban on a Cornish beach. John Dodd, 44, of Beech Road, Falmouth, faced legal consequences for breaching a Public Spaces Protection Order at Gyllyngvase Beach.

The court heard that in July 2023, a Falmouth Town Council enforcement officer spotted Dodd with his dog on the beach, despite the active restriction period of the order. Previously informed about the restrictions, Dodd had been given the chance to comply but had refused to leave the beach, ultimately necessitating police intervention.

Dodd’s actions constituted an offence under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. He was initially issued a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) for £100, which offers an alternative to prosecution. However, Dodd’s failure to pay the penalty led to court proceedings.

In court, Dodd pled guilty and expressed remorse, explaining that he believed the beach was empty and took his dog onto the rocks to play. He admitted to mistakenly walking across the restricted area while trying to find a permissible beach for his dog. Acknowledging his mistake, Dodd assured the court of his intention to abide by the restrictions in the future.

Magistrates fined Dodd £180, reduced to £120 for his guilty plea, and additionally ordered him to pay costs of £500 and a victim surcharge of £48.

Cllr Martyn Alvey, Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for environment and public protection, remarked on the collaborative effort with Falmouth Town Council in this case. He emphasised the disappointment in Dodd’s failure to heed advice and the necessity of enforcement.

Mark Williams, Town Clerk at Falmouth Town Council, highlighted the prioritisation of education and advice in enforcing environmental bylaws. He noted the effectiveness of the partnership between local authorities and the police in ensuring compliance when initial efforts are disregarded.

This prosecution underscores the commitment of local authorities to uphold environmental protection laws and the consequences of flouting such regulations.