Litter fine threat over dog hairs

Denis Basford was threatened with a £70 litter fine - for brushing his dog in his car.

A litter patrolman claimed some of the animal's hairs were blowing out of the window.

Denis, 52, said: "I thought he was joking. All I was doing was brushing my dog and I was told I would be fined £70 unless I stopped.

"I showed him empty pizza boxes and cans next to a burned-out bin, but he said he couldn't do anything about that."

The council in Gosport, Hants, said: "The officer didn't fine him but was right to tell him of the new littering laws and to take more care."