A Tasmanian man has been stripped of his driver's licence for 24 months following a highly unusual incident where witnesses reported his dog was seen 'driving' his utility vehicle along a popular beach.
Bizarre Beach Sighting Prompts Police Call
Several concerned members of the public walking along White Beach at Nubeena, approximately 90 minutes south-east of Hobart, contacted police at around 9:30am on Saturday morning. They reported witnessing what they described as a truly bizarre spectacle: a white Mitsubishi Triton being driven along the beach with a dog occupying the driver's seat and a man sitting in the passenger seat.
'Witnesses reported that a white Mitsubishi Triton was being driven on the beach, with a dog in the driver's seat and a man in the passenger seat,' a Tasmania Police spokesman confirmed in an official statement regarding the strange occurrence.
Police Investigation and Charges Laid
Upon arriving at the scene, officers located the vehicle at a nearby property, with both the dog and a 50-year-old man present. The subsequent police investigation led to the man being charged with driving while over the prescribed legal alcohol limit. As a result of this charge, he has had his driver's licence disqualified for a period of 24 months and is scheduled to face court proceedings in May.
Since the initial reports, the family of the accused individual has reportedly published a video on social media, which was seen by Pulse Tasmania. The footage, believed to have been filmed at a home near White Beach on Monday, shows a man holding a covered drink with a dog beside him. In the video, the man is seen making an obscene gesture towards the camera.
Social Media Reaction and Ongoing Inquiry
The family member who uploaded the video paired it with an article detailing the initial news reports of the incident. 'Who wants to meet the famous uncle … and the dog?' a person can be heard saying in the video. The accused man responds by stating, 'I'm having a beer.'
Tasmania Police have stated that their investigation into this unusual case remains active. Authorities are particularly keen to hear from any additional witnesses who may have further information, and are appealing specifically to anyone who might possess video footage or dashcam images related to the incident on White Beach.
This case highlights the serious legal consequences of driving under the influence, even when accompanied by highly unusual circumstances that have captured public attention across Tasmania and beyond.
