A WOMAN was fined yesterday for driving her car as her dog sat on her lap.
Hairdresser Mary Mannion was spotted by police with her Yorkshire terrier Missy sitting with her in the driver's seat.
Fiscal depute Hannah Kennedy told Perth Sheriff Court: 'They saw the accused driving her vehicle with the terrier dog unrestrained in the car.
'It was darting about the car and in the accused's lap.
'It was sticking its head out of the driver's window and was out of control. Accordingly, she was stopped and charged.'
Mannion, 36, of May Place, Perth, admitted driving carelessly last November.
Her solicitor, Billy Somerville, said: 'Being in the car is not the dog's favourite place to be. It thought the car had stopped and it was trying to get out.'
He said the dog was now always restrained in the car.
Sheriff Robert Brodie told Mannion: 'Allowing the dog to run in the car in this vein could have been extremely serious.'
He imposed five penalty points and fined Mannion £150.
Afterwards, Mannion claimed the case had been a waste of the court's time.
She said: 'People drive without a licence or insurance, but all I did was have my dog in the car with me.'
And she added: 'Everybody I know has had a good laugh at my expense, but I have ended up in court and could have lost my licence.'
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