Dog warden ordeal left us traumatised

TWO city pensioners say they have been left "traumatised" after they were "followed" by two Plymouth City Council dog wardens.

- ELLIOT BALL

Judy Latimer and Paul Southcombe had been walking their dogs in Dean Cross Park, Plymstock on Tuesday morning when they were approached by the wardens.

The pensioners, both in their 70s, were told that they had breached the dog control Public Spaces Protection Order by allowing their dogs to exercise off the lead on a marked sports pitch.

But the wardens were wearing plain clothes and Paul said they looked more like a "couple of guys on their way to a football match" rather than council employees. In a video captured by Judy, both men can be seen wearing grey hoodies and baggy trousers.

The city council has since admitted that the pair were council employees and said it is looking into whether they "exceeded their remit" Paul said although the men did show ID proving they were city council employees he was left unconvinced as it looked like something you could "make on your own PC" He said: "We're in our 70s and we're told to watch out for scams and I'm very alert to them.

"Unless I'm very, very sure I just cut off contact." After a short conversation, Judy and Paul decided to leave the area because the men appeared "suspicious" "If they were looking to fine us then you'd have thought that they'd be more laid back and steady and calming with people. But they obviously had no training," added Paul.

And this was just the start as the wardens began following them. Judy said: "We just couldn't believe it.