Biker's sidecar-riding dog 'making people smile'

47 minutes ago

John Devine,in March,and

Aimee Dexter

News image — Alan Valkeith says his dog, Louis, goes everywhere with him

Alan Valkeith Alan Valkeith is riding a blue motorbike which has a sidecar with his St Bernard dog, Louis, sitting in it. Valkeith is wearing a black coat, black framed sunglasses and a blue helmet. Louis is also wearing a blue helmet and blue goggles. — Alan Valkeith says his dog, Louis, goes everywhere with him

A man who adapted the sidecar of his motorbike to accommodate his eight-year-old St Bernard said they were getting lots of attention.

Alan Valkeith, 78, and his dog Louis ride around their hometown of March, Cambridgeshire in a Honda GL1500 Gold Wing.

"People smile as soon as they see us and we've had people overtake us and stop and get out just to take pictures," Valkeith said.

He is now busy making a "doggy caravan" for his pet, who he adopted about six years ago having been found abandoned in Liverpool.

John Devine/BBC Alan Valkeith is sitting on a blue motorbike which has a sidecar with a St Bernard dog, called Louis, sitting in it. Valkeith is wearing a white T-shirt and a blue helmet, and there is a bungalow and van in the background. — Valkeith said he had been stopped by several people wanting to take pictures

"As soon as I get his harness out, he yanks, which he doesn't normally, but he gets quite excited because he knows he is going in the sidecar," he continued.

"I have had police stop me three times to take photos, which seemed funny at the time."

Valkeith said all four of his St Bernards enjoyed travelling this way: "They've all gone in the sidecar because I don't like leaving them at home."

Ferry Meadows in Peterborough is one of the first places he intends to visit with Louis once the new caravan is ready, which will give his dogs a dedicated place to sleep.

John Devine/BBC Alan Valkeith and his dog Louis, who is a brown, black and white St Bernard, are sitting in a homemade caravan which will be used by them both. It is painted blue and is sitting on a driveway. — Valkeith has been making a caravan for Louis to sleep in while they travel

The Highway Code says dogs travelling in vehicles must be "suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly".

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