Man shot lawnmower with sawn-off shotgun for not starting

A 56-year-old man from the Midwestern US state of Wisconsin has been arrested after shooting his lawn mower in his garden because it would not start.

Keith Walendowski was charged by police in Milwaukee with disorderly conduct and possession of a sawn-off shotgun.

He could face a fine of up to $11,000 and a maximum prison sentence of six-and-a-half years if convicted.



Police officers said Mr Walendowski had told them: "It's my lawn mower and my yard, so I can shoot it if I want." Witnesses told police that he appeared to have been drinking.

A local retailer said that Mr Walendowski might now have difficulty getting his lawn mower repaired.

"Anything not factory recommended would void the warranty", said Dick Wagner, of Wagner's Garden Mart in Milwaukee.