Doggone! Key trick takes the biscuit

A parking warden who doubles as a dog catcher was locked out of his own car by a passing dog.

Wanaka dog catcher Daryl Taylor was on patrol when he spotted a Jack Russell terrier roaming free and foraging in rubbish bags in the town centre.

After a short chase, Mr Taylor caught the terrier and took it to to the Lakes Environmental headquarters in the passenger seat of his car.

Mr Taylor went inside to check the animal's registration so he could inform the owners but when he returned to his vehicle found the dog had locked the car door. The keys were in the ignition.

Mr Taylor had to call a garage attendant to break into the car.

"I was bemused to see this dog sitting in the car. The engine was on and the air conditioning was running, while I was left outside hot and bothered."

The dog was returned to its owners, who incurred no extra costs.

Said Mr Taylor: "The garage attendant asked if the dog had been talking to some parking offenders."

- OTAGO DAILY TIMES