The Environment Agency is calling for heavier penalties on people who deposit dog waste on road-sides.

Garry Kelsey, of Bradstocks Way, Sutton Courtenay, Abingdon, was spotted dropping waste, including three sacks containing dog faeces, at Hobbyhorse Lane, Sutton Courtenay, on December 17 last year.

Wantage magistrates fined him £150 with costs of £75 after he admitted dropping waste.

Enforcement office Rebecca Haywood said: "The Environment Agency receives many complaints about fly-tipping, which are often difficult to follow up.

"Where sufficient evidence is gathered to allow prosecution, the agency relies on the courts to impose penalties that will deter other tippers. Mr Kelsey was fined only £150, which we don't feel was enough of a deterrent to others."

Kelsey, who owns three large Alsatians, told the court that his bin bags were regularly left by waste collectors as they are too heavy. He took the sacks to the Drayton Civic Amenity but was refused permission to dump them when the contents were inspected.

He told the court that he felt he was left with no alternative but to dump the bags.

The magistrates noted that Kelsey had recognised the risks in wishing to save his family from potential infection from the waste.

However, they pointed out that he had exposed other people to the risk.