Woman who failed to pick up her dog's poo on Cork City street pays €200 to animal charity

Case struck out by judge after woman made contribution to ISPCA

Charge against woman stated: 'On February 4 at North Main Street, being a person in charge of a dog, she did fail to immediately remove any faeces deposited in the said place by the said dog.'

Dog poo on North Main Street cost the owner of the dog €200 on Tuesday.

62-year-old Ritcayong Chuchat, who lives on North Main Street, Cork, had no previous convictions of any kind.

Garda Gheorghe Rosu prosecuted her under the Litter Pollution Act 1997 on a charge stating: “On February 4 at North Main Street, being a person in charge of a dog, she did fail to immediately remove any faeces deposited in the said place by the said dog.” 

Asked if she was pleading guilty or not guilty to the count, she said she was pleading guilty and did not wish to have legal representation.

Sergeant Aisling Murphy said at the time and place: “The owner of the dog failed to remove dog litter from the footpath where she clearly had seen what the dog left behind. On request from the gardaí she then removed the litter. She claimed that the dog was marking its territory.” 

Judge David Waters said her comment to the garda on the day showed a lack of understanding.

Ritcayong Chuchat said: “I didn’t realise, I thought it was just pee, not poo.” 

In view of the absence of any previous convictions, the judge said rather than convicting and fining her he would give her the option of having the case struck out on payment of €200 to the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. 

Ms Chuchat said she would take opportunity and it was struck out later in the day when she made the contribution to charity.