On July 19th I was walking my very ill dog on the green land in Regina Road. He was barely able to walk and so I had taken him out for a pee as close as I could to my house in Lincoln Road. 3 Neighbourhood wardens approached me and asked me why my dog wasn't on a lead.

I told them he was ill, explained we lived 25 yards away and showed them my doggy bags in case they were needed. They showed me the tiny signs on a lamp post which I hadn't seen before about having to have yr dog on a lead. They said they were warning me, asked my address and then gave me a ticket for a fine of £75.00.

The signs are so small that nobody sees them, I wasn';t aware it was an offence not to have the dog on a lead. A few days later I learnt my neighbour had been told the same thing 2 weeks previously and had been let off with a warning. Why are they being so officious in issuing fines? They could see my dog was sick - the next day I spent £500 having an abcess removed from his groin area with over 20 stitches - he still can't go for a walk. I have appealed, teling them all this and have been turned down on appeal.

I think the wardens should use their discretion and if a dog is not running around, should speak to the owner and explain the new rules and penalties. I have not seen any big notices concerning this and nothing in the press or posted through my door. Is this just another way of raising funds for the council? I feel that they have not shown an ounce of compassion when they could plainly see my dog was sick. I'm sure that I'm not the only person to be 'stung' in this way.

Based on information supplied by Katy Bowyer.