Story Archive

You Gotta Fight for Your Right to Potty

It all started when the Richmond, London, England, council passed a Public Spaces Protection Order that would bring criminal consequences to owners of dogs that urinated on Council properties or “annoyed” members of the public. Peeing on property “could be interpreted as ‘damage to council property or turf’,” admits Kennel Club secretary Carline Kisko, but “a non-dog lover reported feeling annoyed by the presence of a dog in a public space, even if that dog had behaved impeccably,” could lead to prosecution. A dog owner fought the law in court, and the case went all the way to the High Court — which overturned the law, setting precedent for any other overreaching councils. Now, dogs across the U.K. are free again to pee on lampposts throughout the country. (MS/London Telegraph) ...The sweet smell of success.