A dog owner who allowed his border collie to set paw on a rugby pitch has been fined.

Douglas magistrates heard 26-year-old James Matthew Sowry was exercising his pet in the park when he was spotted at around 4.15pm on March 31 by a warden.

’She told him he was in breach of regulations, and issued a fixed penalty notice,’ said Jane Gray, for the prosecution.

The dog was not defaecating, merely walking, the court was told.

A statement from the defendant, who admitted the offence by post, said he had tried to pay by cheque but it must have gone missing in the post. The court heard a fixed penalty was issued initially but was unpaid, hence the court proceedings.

He was fined £75 and must pay £125 costs.