The Dog Squad on the beat in Highbury Fields

A dog owner has been named and shamed by Islington Council after leaving her pooch’s mess on a footpath.

Daisy Lapierre, 21, of Tollington Park, Finsbury Park, was caught letting her dog foul and failing to pick up after the pet in Tollington Park in December.

She then failed to pay the fine – and was taken to court by Islington Council as a result. After pleading guilty by post, she was ordered to pay £150 in fines and costs by Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on July 12.

The council published details of the case this week.

Cllr Paul Smith, Islington Council’s executive member for environment, said: “We have a zero tolerance policy to dog-fouling – if people don’t pick up, they will be fined, and if they don’t pay they will be taken to court.”

The council has been running a crackdown on dog mess since May, which sees a team of officers called the “dog squad” patrolling the streets to catch out irresponsible owners – but the measure has been criticised for being costly and ineffective.

Only a handful of fines were handed out in its first month, yet it is costing £240,000 for three months.

Cllr Smith added: “Our ‘dog squad’ is patrolling hotspots and keeping an eye out for irresponsible owners.”