Dylan Atkinson: Puppyworld Underwood owner caught over six times drink-drive limit

The owner of well-known Puppyworld Underwood was found by police passed out behind the wheel with a bottle of scotch, a court has heard.

The owner of Puppyworld Underwood was found by police passed out behind the wheel with a bottle of scotch while a whopping six times the legal alcohol limit, a court has heard.

Puppyworld Underwood owner Dylan Atkinson, 64, leaving Beenleigh courthouse. Picture: Supplied

Springwood man Dylan Atkinson, 64, pleaded guilty in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Tuesday to one count of being in charge of a vehicle while under the influence.

The court heard that police found the Logan business owner collapsed behind the wheel of his red Mitsubishi Outlander with the motor running in an Underwood car park at 3.15pm on January 2.

The car was locked with the keys in the ignition, and police spotted a bottle of scotch in the car’s centre console.

An ambulance was called requested forced entry into the vehicle for medical assessment, and tests revealed he had a blood alcohol reading of 0.325 per cent.

Atkinson’s lawyer said his client started a specialised pet shop called Puppyworld with his wife about 24 years ago.

“He’s instructed me that during Covid, business has been very difficult, and that’s put a strain not only on his business but his marriage,” he said.

“It is a stressed relationship at the moment. That’s not an excuse.”

“He instructs that even though he was in the driver’s seat, he had intended to simply stay in the airconditioned motor vehicle rather than drive.

“He accepts that’s not an appropriate way to manage drinking or recovering from drinking.”

He was sentenced to pay a $2000 fine and was disqualified from driving for 16 months.