Missing cat poster brings £75 graffiti fine

A teacher who put up "missing" posters in a bid to find her beloved cat Fluffy was astonished to be hit with a £75 for graffiti by her local council.
Lynda Dyson was overjoyed when the A4 computer print-outs she taped to trees and lampposts near her home in east London helped to reunited her with the three year-old, black Persian cat.
But her delight was short-lived after a demand for £75 from the local council's enforcement department landed on her doormat.
The fine was issued under Section 43 of the Anti-social Behavior Act, which polices fly-posting and graffiti.
Mrs. Dyson said home-made posters have helped people to find missing pets for centuries and should be treated differently.
"In a world where there is less and less community spirit, to impose a law and fine me for something like this is horrible," she said. “Pets are a very important part of people's lives. Without those notices, I would never have got her back.
“I don't see it as being anti-social behavior at all. Fluffy is outraged.”
A spokesman for Waltham Forest Council said the fine, issued last month, was given "in error" and later cancelled.
"In this case a mistake was made and we would like to apologize unreservedly to Ms Dyson for any offence or alarm that was caused," he said.
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Dog Allergic to Pet Food

A dog which is allergic to pet food, going for walks and even chasing cats has been put on a strict diet and given antibiotics to help ease his pain.
Joey, an Alsatian-Collie cross, had been constantly breaking out in a rash.
His owner, Scott Muirhead, from Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, took him to vets at Taylors Practice in Glasgow who diagnosed numerous allergies.
Since the poorly pooch began his new medication his condition has vastly improved.
Mr. Muirhead, 36, told the BBC Scotland news website: "We've spent the past year trying to figure out what was wrong with him.
"His skin was terrible. He was breaking out in boils and scratching all the time.
"We have been trying special diets but really weren't getting anywhere."
Vets at Taylors eventually carried out blood tests on Joey and were astonished by the results.
"He was basically allergic to everything," said Mr. Muirhead.
"We were given a list and it included all types of meat, dairy produces, long grass, daisies, dandelions, cat hair and other dog hair."
Scott Muirhead, and his partner Lisa McCormack, 25, have had Joey, who turns five next week, since he was a puppy and were baffled by the fact that up until last year he had never had any problems with his diet.
"We used to feed him everything and anything but now Joey can't have any treats, "said Mr. Muirhead.
"We were told he could only eat things like potatoes, porridge and barley."
The couple hopes a new medication they are trying Joey on might give him a new lease of life.
Mr Muirhead added: "His hair is starting to grow back and his skin seems to be in better condition. "It is still early to tell but he seems to be picking up and it does seem to be making a difference."

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What Big Eyes You Have

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Open Up

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Injured duckling helps teach young boy to walk

He was expected to spend his life in a wheelchair, but here's Finlay Lomax taking his first steps after learning to walk by copying a disabled duckling.
The four-year-old suffered a stroke as a baby and developed cerebral palsy. Doctors told his mum Becci he'd never be able to stand on his own two feet.
But he began studying the way pet duckling Ming-Ming walked with a splayed leg and started mimicking him. He told astonished Becci: "I walk like the duck mummy."
She said: "I had been told Finlay might never be able to walk so it's amazing to think he is taking steps thanks to the duckling.
"He's been having physio all his life but never really responded until we got the duckling."
Becci, 29, took in tiny Ming-Ming after a farmer friend told her the duckling struggled to walk because of his bad leg and was going to be put down.
A vet gave the duck physiotherapy and fitted him with a splint. He began to ' home as his leg strengthened. Single mum Becci, of Plymouth, Devon, added: "As soon as Ming-Ming started physio and began walking so did Finlay. I was brimming with pride. Finlay has really taken to him. He is now much stronger and it's great to see him walking.
"I've told him if he works hard then one day he will be able to take Ming-Ming for walks on a lead. That is what he is really working towards."
Finlay can now manage to walk five yards at a time with the help of a Zimmer frame.
Becci added: "Basically when Ming-Ming laid or sat down, his leg was right up near his head and he was unable to walk.
"I was told the duckling was to be put down.
"I was trying all over to find a vet that knew about ducks. At first I didn't think he would make it, I felt sick.
"The most amazing thing is, in helping the duckling; Finlay has also taken his first steps."
Finlay suffered brain damage as an infant and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy - which affects the way the brain co-ordinates movement in the body.
Law student Becci rescued Ming-Ming - named after a character in TV show Wonder Pets - when he was just a day and-a-half-old.
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