A dad has been fined for feeding ducks along a canal in west London.
68-year-old James Watson was handed down a £150 (€179) fine by Ealing Council for 'littering' a canal walkway by throwing birdseed.
Ironically, the dad is an anti-litter volunteer in the area, where he clears up rubbish with a local picking group.
Adding to Mr Watson's confusion was the fact that he had thrown the birdseed in question at Grand Union Canal in Southall, but the fine was made for a location five kilometres away.
The father has since successfully appealed the fine and has received an apology from his local council.
Speaking to The Metro, a council representative said: "In a densely populated urban environment, food thrown or dropped on the floor can attract mice and rats."
"On occasion, this means handing out single fixed penalty notices to those who don’t play by the rules and spoil it for everyone else."
We have cancelled his [Mr Watson's] fixed penalty notice, and have apologised to him directly.’
Photo by Ellie Burgin
