FINED DOG WALKER PUTS COUNCIL IN THE PICTURE

26-02-2008

Sandwell Council has challenged a Wednesbury man to fight them in court after he was fined £75 for walking his dog through a graveyard – even though photographic evidence shows there were no warning signs.

As we revealed yesterday, Paul Perrins was given an on the spot penalty in Wood Green cemetery last Thursday morning, as he exercised his boxer Molly (see link here)

He insists that at the Brunswick Park Road entrance which he uses, there are no warning signs – and he's sent us the photos to prove it.

After Paul was fined, he checked another entrance on Wood Green Road, and found that this does have a warning notice – but as he doesn’t normally enter that way, he can hardly be expected to have seen it.

Despite the fact that he would seem to have a reasonable defence, the Council are sticking to their guns and insisting that he mounts a legal appeal.

The Cabinet Member for Safer Communities Cllr Derek Rowley said: "The dog enforcement orders were introduced recently after extensive consultations in the borough for over 12 months.

"They have been widely publicised over a lengthy period of time.

"There were signs up in the cemetery and it is not the council's fault if the gentleman concerned did not see them.

"But if he is unhappy with the fine and he decides not to pay the fine and go to court then that is his right."

Paul Perrins is not a wealthy man – but is adamant that he won’t be bullied into paying up for unwittingly breaking the rules.

Any lawyers who fancy helping him prepare a defence are welcome to contact editor@thestirrer.com

And if you need The Stirrer's help, just get in touch - no guarantees of success, mind!

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