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‘Silly’: Fury after skateboarding dog arrested outside Sydney Opera House

An Insta-famous dog and its owner have been arrested outside the world-famous landmark — leading to bizarre scenes.

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Police arrested a skateboarding dog and its owner outside the Sydney Opera House over the weekend after stopping the pair for failing to have the staffy on a leash.

Skateboarding dog arrested at Opera House

Dog trainer Victor Yushakov clashed with police outside the Sydney icon over the weekend after being told his service dog Honey – known on Instagram as the world’s only snowboarding dog – needed to be on a leash.

The arrest was filmed by one of Mr Yushakov’s friends and has since been shared on his social media pages. No charges were laid.

Police said no charges were laid against the pair. Picture: TikTok
Police said no charges were laid against the pair. Picture: TikTok
Both Honey and her owner ended up in the back of the paddy wagon. Picture: TikTok
Both Honey and her owner ended up in the back of the paddy wagon. Picture: TikTok

In the footage, Mr Yushakov can be seen taking four of his dogs for a walk while riding his skateboard around the CBD – with Honey riding the board between his legs.

Mr Yushakov is stopped by a group of police as they reach the Sydney Opera House.

“At the moment your dog is on a skateboard, OK? It needs a lead,” one of the officers could be heard saying

“If you want to keep arguing I will give you a ticket for it.”

The interaction then escalated with Mr Yushakov telling police she was even closer restrained by being between his legs.

The other four dogs were all wearing leads, with Mr Yushakov pointing out the fact he had Honey’s lead around his neck.

Opera House security also got involved in the arrest. Picture: YouTube
Opera House security also got involved in the arrest. Picture: YouTube

“This is not the place to train your dogs,” one of the officers said.

Mr Yushakov then declines to hand over his ID and is informed he is under arrest for using offensive language in a public place.

His friend takes the other four dogs with Honey joining him in the paddy wagon.

“You guys are just silly as s**t,” Mr Yushakov says as he is in the back of the police wagon.

Mr Yushakov put the full vision on YouTube, telling his followers at the end of the clip that the police let him go upon arriving at Day Street Police Station. Police confirmed that Mr Yushakov was not charged with any offence.

The other dogs watch on as Honey and her owner are taken away. Picture: TikTok
The other dogs watch on as Honey and her owner are taken away. Picture: TikTok
Honey is followed by more than 1400 people on Instagram. Picture: @honeyfromglebe
Honey is followed by more than 1400 people on Instagram. Picture: @honeyfromglebe

“To which they opened the door up and said they were trying to figure out where to put me and then after calling my lawyer they very promptly let me go,” he said.

“They let me go without actually taking me to the cop shop they literally just drove me to the basement to have a chat and then I skated off with Honey.”

A shorter clip of the incident was also posted by Mr Yushakov to TikTok. The video now has more than 150,000 views.

When contacted by news.com.au, NSW Police said the man was arrested for ID purposes to assist security at the Sydney Opera House.

Mr Yushakov and the Sydney Opera House have also been contacted for comment.

Originally published as ‘Silly’: Fury after skateboarding dog arrested outside Sydney Opera House

Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/silly-fury-after-skateboarding-dog-arrested-outside-sydney-opera-house/news-story/18870ea38f3bac81363d58a54bc8e655