As reported by Huffington Post, 26 year old American man Reliford Cooper blamed his dog after having crashed his vehicle while DUI Drink Driving.
Mr Cooper led Police on a high speed pursuit, before driving through a stop sign, losing control and then crashing into a house.
Mr Cooper then fled on foot, and sought refuge in a nearby church.
Church goers sent him on his way, at which point he was intercepted by Police.
As he was being handcuffed, Mr Cooper claimed that he 'wasn't driving that car' and that 'my dog was driving that car'.
No dog was actually spotted in Mr Cooper's vehicle, or near the scene.
Mr Cooper awaits sentence.
A woman in Orlando, Florida gave Police the same excuse 2 months earlier, as also reported by Huffington Post.
Queenslanders charged with DUI Drink Driving, Drug Driving or Fail To Provide Specimen face a maximum penalty of a lifetime driver’s licence disqualification, 9 months imprisonment and 28 penalty units.
Persons charged with Careless Driving (Drive Without Due Care & Attention) face a maximum penalty of a lifetime driver’s licence disqualification, 6 months imprisonment and 40 penalty units.
Queenslanders charged with Dangerous Driving, which is a Criminal offence, face a maximum penalty, depending upon the circumstances of aggravation, of 5 years imprisonment, 200 penalty units and a lifetime driver’s licence disqualification.
Persons charged with Disqualified Driving face a maximum penalty of a lifetime driver’s licence disqualification, 12 months imprisonment and 40 penalty units.
Queenslanders charged with Evade Police a maximum penalty of 3 years imprisonment, 200 penalty units and a lifetime licence disqualification.
Persons charged with Repeat DUI Drink Driving, Repeat Drug Driving, Repeat Fail To Provide Specimen, or a Repeat combination of these offences, face a maximum penalty of a lifetime driver’s licence disqualification, 18 months imprisonment and 60 penalty units.
A penalty unit in Queensland is currently worth $113.85.
In addition to the above penalties, anyone who pleads or is found guilty in the Magistrates Court must pay the Offender Levy, which is presently worth $110.90.
Magistrates have a general power to impose up to a lifetime driver’s licence disqualification, above and beyond any legislated disqualification ranges.
Wiseman Lawyers specialise in DUI Drink Driving, Drug Driving, Careless & Dangerous Driving, Evade Police and Drug, Alcohol & Traffic offences.