Czech Man Walks Toy Dog in Bid to Escape Coronavirus Lockdown

České Budějovice police caught a man trying to trick officers who were “walking” a stuffed toy dog.

The curious situation was witnessed by a few journalists of Czech Television, filming a report in the South Bohemian city.

In his desperation to escape the restrictions, the man hit on the ‘bright idea’ of using the dog walking clause.

This allows people to take their pets out for short walks. Unfortunately, lacking a real canine friend, he decided to ‘walk’ a stuffed pooch, perhaps hoping police would not notice the difference.

“We ask for good judgment during the following weeks. We are facing a serious situation and people can be fined for that. It is a matter of public health,” said Věra Školková, a spokeswoman for the České Budějovice city police.

“However, the man listened to the patrol warning and then went home. He regretted his actions,” Školková added.

“We are facing [too] serious a situation to have you walking on the street trying to fool the police. You don’t fool us and also you’ll be fined. It is a matter of public health.”

A night curfew from 21:00 p.m. to 04:59 a.m. was introduced in the Czech Republic on Wednesday, October 28 as a measure to curb the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

Exceptions will apply to journeys to work, urgent journeys to protect life, health, and property, and dogs walking within 500 meters of the place of residence.

In addition, retail sales will be prohibited on Sundays all day and on other days from 20:00 p.m. to 05:00 a.m.. This does not apply to gas stations or pharmacies.

The curfew will be effective until the end of the state of emergency that is to expire on November 3.