A DOG owner has been fined for persistently allowing her dog to stray.

Magistrates in Cheltenham fined Linda Chapman, aged 53, of Glebe Road, Minchinhampton £2,000 and imposed a £120 victim surcharge on Monday. Chapman must also pay full costs of £425 to Stroud District Council.

SDC brought the prosecution following complaints that her border collie Doodles regularly roamed the estate leading to fouling, refuse bags being damaged and causing a traffic hazard.

Having previously provided Chapman with advice and warnings, SDC served an improvement notice in October 2013.

It was the council’s opinion that by allowing Doodles to persistently stray she was failing to provide a suitable environment and failing to protect the pet from potential pain, injury and suffering, contrary to the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

The notice provided Chapman with the chance to take steps to ensure that Doodles could not leave her property.

However, Doodles was subsequently witnessed straying again in contravention of the notice, the court heard.