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Skateboarding dog owner fined £80
The owner of a skateboarding dog has been fined £80 and threatened with legal action for not keeping his Lakeland terrier on a lead.
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'Bodhi is always under control. He loves skateboarding and is not a criminal', said Mr Fell Photo: CONNORS
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Bodhi gets up to speed on his skateboard Photo: CONNORS
4:17PM BST 10 May 2011
Jonathan Fell, 51, has already been threatened with an Asbo by killjoy council officials in Brighton, East Sussex, where his dog Bodhi is a familiar sight as he performs kerbside stunts.
The talented terrier has become a YouTube sensation with more than 20,000 followers, and has even appeared in a brief clip on ITV show Britain's Got Talent last month.
But after two woman complained they tripped over Bodhi's skateboard, Brighton & Hove City Council fined Mr Fell for failing to keep him on a lead.
The landscape gardener said: "Bodhi is always under control. He loves skateboarding and is not a criminal.
"It's something that makes people laugh. I never trained him to skateboard, it's just what he loves to do."
A council spokesman said Mr Fell has 14 days to pay up, otherwise he will be forced to appear before magistrates and could face a £1000 fine.
He said: "We know Bodhiâ s antics are an amusing sight and the dog and spectators appear to enjoy it.
"But when people start getting hurt and we receive complaints we have a legal duty to act.
"Bodhi remains free to skate in local parks - but not in dog-free areas."
The owner of a skateboarding dog has been fined £80 and threatened with legal action for not keeping his Lakeland terrier on a lead.
Image 1 of 2
'Bodhi is always under control. He loves skateboarding and is not a criminal', said Mr Fell Photo: CONNORS
Image 2 of 2
Bodhi gets up to speed on his skateboard Photo: CONNORS
4:17PM BST 10 May 2011
Jonathan Fell, 51, has already been threatened with an Asbo by killjoy council officials in Brighton, East Sussex, where his dog Bodhi is a familiar sight as he performs kerbside stunts.
The talented terrier has become a YouTube sensation with more than 20,000 followers, and has even appeared in a brief clip on ITV show Britain's Got Talent last month.
But after two woman complained they tripped over Bodhi's skateboard, Brighton & Hove City Council fined Mr Fell for failing to keep him on a lead.
The landscape gardener said: "Bodhi is always under control. He loves skateboarding and is not a criminal.
"It's something that makes people laugh. I never trained him to skateboard, it's just what he loves to do."
A council spokesman said Mr Fell has 14 days to pay up, otherwise he will be forced to appear before magistrates and could face a £1000 fine.
He said: "We know Bodhiâ s antics are an amusing sight and the dog and spectators appear to enjoy it.
"But when people start getting hurt and we receive complaints we have a legal duty to act.
"Bodhi remains free to skate in local parks - but not in dog-free areas."
