Tenant told to leave after burial of dog

John Johnson has been told to remove all his belongings from Lawson’s Road Allotments in Marton by Tuesday.

Mr Johnson, 69, of Elm Road, was ordered to remove his pet dog Max after burying the animal on his plot.

He had wanted to bury his companion of eight years there because Max used to spend time with Mr Johnson and his daughter Michelle at the allotment.

Mr Johnson removed Max on the orders of council chiefs.

But now he has been told by the Blackpool Federation of Allotment Associations that he has breached his tenancy agreement and must vacate his plot by March 7.

Mr Johnson said: “I have been there for more than 10 years and my daughter Michelle loves it.

“It has come as quite a shock because after I removed Max, the council officer who was with me said they would now draw a line under it.

“OK so I did something wrong in their eyes, but I have complied and removed Max.

“I’ve worked hard to get my plot as I wanted it, and now I’m retired I look forward to going there.”

Coun Maria Kirkland, who is responsible for green spaces and allotments on Blackpool Council, said while she sympathised with the situation, burying an animal on an allotment contravened tenants agreements.

Blackpool Federation of Allotment Associations did not respond to calls for a comment.