Four fined after driving about 300 miles to collect family dog in Scotland

A family of four have been fined for driving hundreds of miles to collect their pet.

The group were driving from Halifax in England to Cupar where their family dog is currently being looked after by another relative during lockdown.

But they were stopped just before crossing the border near Carlisle and escorted back south.

Family of four stopped northbound at J43 M6, travelling from Halifax to Cupar, Scotland to collect the family dog

The journey, which ended up being about a 300-mile round trip, landed the family of four with a fine under the recent coronavirus legislation.

Officers from Cumbria Roads Police stopped the family on the M6.

A police spokesman posted on twitter: “Family of four stopped northbound at J42 M6, travelling from Halifax to Cupar, Scotland to collect the family dog.

“The dog being in the care of another family member.

“Fine issued and escorted south.”

First minister Nicola Sturgeon announced over the weekend that the Scottish Government’s message remains ‘Stay at Home’, despite Boris Johnson’s move to lift restrictions in England.

Ms Sturgeon did however confirm Scots can leave the house more than once a day as of today (Monday).

Yet she emphasised the move does not include barbeques, sunbathing or picnics.

During the prime minster’s address on Sunday evening, Mr Johnson said people in England who could not work from home should return to the workplace - but avoid public transport.

The first minister stressed that the advice to businesses in Scotland had not changed.