'%20id='ico-down'%20stroke='%23000000'%20stroke-width='1.5'%3e%3cg%20transform='translate(1092.250000,%20254.750000)'%3e%3cpolyline%20id='Path-2-Copy-4'%20transform='translate(5.500000,%202.750000)%20scale(1,%20-1)%20rotate(-180.000000)%20translate(-5.500000,%20-2.750000)%20'%20points='0%200%205.5%205.5%2011%200'%3e%3c/polyline%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/svg%3e){kind=small}
3 May 2004
KEMPTEN – German police have imposed a fine for a dog that travelled in the back seat of a car without a seat belt.
The owner of Bobbie is appealing the EUR 25 fine, which a court in Kempten, in Germany’s Alpine foothills, said had grown to EUR 43.10 because of the delay.
Police defended the fine Monday, saying the road code required motorists to secure loads safely.
“Anything that flies forward when you brake sharply can cause serious injury,” said a spokesman. Small dogs belonged on the floor and larger dogs needed to be kept in a harness, or in the boot.
He said a fine was unusual: normally police just pointed out the danger to motorists.
DPA
Subject: German news