CANINE king of the road "Mad Max" is facing a life in the slow lane.

Motorway police couldn't believe their eyes when they spotted the pint-sized Patterdale Terrier sitting contentedly on the petrol tank of John Ogden's high powered motorbike as the pair cruised along . . . at 60mph.

But after appearing at court in Bury, owner John has promised that his pet will have to settle for simple strolls on foot in future.

Officers on the M66 in Bury sat stunned when Ogden pulled up alongside them with Max perched on the tank of the Kawasaki 900cc motorcycle.

Giving evidence before magistrates, motorway patrolman PC Colin Chapell said: "I was absolutely amazed when I first saw it."

Ogden, of Rising View, Edenfield, was eventually pulled over. According to the motorway officers, on at least two occasions Max slipped and had to be held in place by Ogden as they talked to him on the hard shoulder.

However, in court, self-employed Ogden, who said he had been riding motorcycles since he was a youngster, claimed that there was no law against carrying dogs on a bike.

He had been charged and pleaded not guilty to failing to have proper control of his vehicle.

He said: "I did not think for one minute that having a dog on a motorcycle was breaking the law. There is nothing in the Highway Code to say it is right or wrong." Cross examined by Mrs Alice Blackburn, prosecuting, Ogden admitted that Max simply balanced on the tank and was held in place by his arms and stomach.

He added: "The tank has textured paint on it but I do not travel at excessive speeds and if I had been forced to take evasive action Max would have stayed on like he always does.

"My feet were on the footpegs and my hands on the handlebars so I could use all the controls. If I was not in control of my bike, why was I allowed to continue after being stopped by the police?"

However, magistrates convicted Ogden and he was given a twelve months conditional discharge and ordered to pay £70 costs.

Patterdale Terrier Max is facing a future without holidays after Wednesday's court ruling.

Until now Max - securely astride owner John Ogden's fuel tank - has been a familiar sight at bikers' rallies around the country.

Last summer the pair travelled to Scotland to be at the Isle of Bute motorbike rally. They made most of the journey in John's Transit van - but once on the island man and dog hit the road astride the Kawasaki 900cc motorcycle.

"The police up there were laughing and joking with me when they saw Max on the bike," said Mr Ogden.

"Once Max is on the bike and you are moving he just sits there with no messing about. I've been doing it for years."

But now John, who rides with the Lancashire Road Riders Motorcycle Club, thinks that Max may have to stay at home when the rally season comes around again.

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