A DOG owner reacted angrily when she was accused of allowing her pet to foul in public, a court heard.

Evlyn Pryor is said to have flung a plastic bag containing dog faeces at a council warden after he pointed out the offence and then asked for her details.

The incident, involving Easington district dog warden Gavin Milne, led to Pryor being charged by the council in breach of the Dog Fouling of Land Act of 1996 and littering, under the 1990 Environmental Protection Act.

Pryor, 50, of Ashwood Grange, Thornley, east Durham, denied both charges.

Mr Milne told North Durham magistrates how he saw the dog fouling on a track near the Gore Hill Estate, in Thornley, east Durham, on April 17.

He said when he approached Pryor she gave her name but refused to give her address.

Mr Milne told the court how Pryor then walked to a hedge where she picked out a plastic bag, containing dog faeces, and flung it in his direction, hitting his jacket and van.

Her address was gathered from council tax records enabling the prosecution to be pursued.

In cross-examination by Pryor's solicitor, Kevin Campbell, Mr Milne denied that the location where the dog had fouled was outside the designated area for such a prosecution.

Pryor said when she was approached by Mr Milne, she did not know who he was and, at first, feared he was going to steal her pedigree dog, Harvey.

She admitted the dog had fouled where a path meets a farm field, but said she cleaned it up in a bag and was taking it home to throw in the bin.

Magistrates found the case proved and fined Pryor £350 and ordered her to pay £100 towards court costs.