A Labrador helped police track down its owner after the man allegedly abandoned the dog while attempting to escape officers on an e-scooter.
Charles Foy, 41, was spotted riding the e-scooter in February 2026 while two dogs ran alongside him. A patrol officer became suspicious after noticing what the court heard was a “considerable smell of cannabis” coming from Foy.
The officer instructed him to stop, but Foy allegedly ignored the order and accelerated away.
E-scooter pursuit leads through narrow streets
According to evidence heard at Warrington Magistrates’ Court, Foy attempted to evade police by travelling through cul-de-sacs and narrow alleyways.
During the escape, one of his dogs, a Labrador, was unable to keep up with the e-scooter and was left behind.
Rather than continue pursuing the fleeing rider blindly, PC Mike Smith of Runcorn Response followed the dog, which ran toward a property on Beaconsfield Road.
The Labrador effectively led the officer to the home believed to be connected to its owner.
Second dog gives police another clue
When officers arrived at the property, it initially appeared to be unoccupied.
Their suspicions grew when they spotted Foy’s other dog looking out from a ground-floor window.
Police made several attempts to get someone inside to answer the door before eventually entering the property.
Foy found hiding under attic insulation
A search of the house eventually revealed an open loft hatch.
Inside the attic, officers discovered Foy hiding underneath pieces of insulation.
The 41-year-old later claimed that he had been sleeping in the loft because the property was overcrowded.
He also denied riding the e-scooter and reportedly told police during an interview that he did not know police cars were equipped with sirens.
Court convicts Foy on multiple offences
Foy was found guilty of failing to stop for police, driving while disqualified, using a motor vehicle without insurance and failing to provide a drug test.
The court heard that the e-scooter was being used on public roads despite being a vehicle that cannot be insured for such use.
Foy was sentenced to three months in prison and received a driving ban lasting four years and three months.
Police warn about dangers of illegal e-scooters
PC Smith said Foy’s decision to abandon his Labrador ultimately worked against him because the dog provided officers with the lead they needed to find him.
“Whilst Foy showed no loyalty to his own dog as he attempted to make good his escape from pursuing police, the pup ultimately remained loyal and provided us with a vital lead,” Smith said.
He also warned that e-scooters can reach significant speeds rapidly and can cause serious injuries if involved in collisions.
According to police, privately owned e-scooters cannot be insured for use on public roads and may legally be treated as motor vehicles in circumstances where licensing, insurance and helmet requirements apply.
Four-year driving ban follows prison sentence
Smith said the prison term and extended driving disqualification reflected the seriousness of Foy’s offences.
Police also alleged that Foy appeared to have been riding after consuming substances that could significantly impair his reaction times.
The case highlights the legal consequences facing riders who use privately owned e-scooters illegally on public roads, particularly when combined with other driving offences and attempts to evade police.
