Irresponsible dog owners have been urged by council chiefs to clean up their act after a man who let his pets foul near a Bradford school had his conviction upheld.

A crown court judge this week dismissed David Melnik’s appeal against conviction after he was summonsed when he failed to pay three fixed penalty notices.

He was tracked to his home by a public-spirited resident who saw him fail to clean up after his Rottweiler and Japanese Akita type-dogs.

Melnik, of Greenwood Avenue, Bolton, Bradford, was identified as the owner by the Council’s Dog Warden Service after receiving complaints from other residents who had seen him committing further offences and he was issued with the fixed penalty notices.

He failed to pay and was summonsed to appear before Bradford magistrates in September, but failed to turn up.

The case was proven in his absence and he was fined £175, with £150 costs and a £15 victims surcharge.

After his failed appeal, Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, Bradford Council’s executive member for environment and culture, said: “We are very pleased that these convictions have been upheld.

“We would appeal to all dog owners to act responsibly and clean up after their pet if it fouls in a public place.”

“They should be extra vigilant near schools and anywhere children play because diseases from dog faeces can cause sickness and even blindness in some cases.”

The prosecution of Melnik followed a Good Dog campaign by Bradford Council, in response to complaints by St Francis Catholic Primary School in Bolton about dog fouling on grass verges and pavements around the school entrance and in local streets, which parents were concerned posed a health hazard.

Several dog owners were advised to clean up by Council wardens and leaflets were distributed to encourage responsible dog ownership.