Flower seller Gary Woodwas slapped with a £75 littering fine by a Torbay Council dog warden after the dog warden claimed a shop sign taped to Union House was litter.
But council bosses later revoked the fine saying it had been issued in error.
Mr Wood, owner of West Country Flowers in Union Street, Torquay, claims he had a verbal exchange with a dog warden earlier the same day over a dropped cigarette butt.
Later the warden, accompanied by two council officers, came to Mr Wood's flower stall and gave the trader a fine for littering Union House.
This story appeared in the Herald Express and supports those people who have expressed concern at the number of non police officers who can issue Fixed Penalty Notices. Apparently absolutely just about everyone who works for the council can issue FPNs for things ranging from littering, letting your dog crap and not cleaning it up to smoking in the street. OK the bit about smoking isn't quite true and I will admit that the bit about everyone who works for the council is also a slight exaggeration. What isn't an exageration, and this story kind of proves it, is the fact that some people just should not have the power to fine people on the spot. The system may have it's merits but there will always be some twerp who will get carried away, drunk on power, and screw up. Bit like that police officer in London who for no apparent reason gave a member of the public a bit of a shove. An hour later that member of the public had a heart attack and died. if you missed that little incident click here
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