:Lonely dogs, washing machine disasters, and a sick magpie have made the top 10 list of bizarre excuses given by people who have failed to pay their TV licence.
- More than 280,000 fee evaders were caught in the first eight months of the year.
- A TV Licensing spokesman said the range of reasons given by people when inquiry officers called ranged from the "sublime to the ridiculous".The organisation has published 10 of the most bizarre explanations given by people as reasons for not paying.
- Top of the list was "a pigeon fell down the chimney and broke the aerial so I have bad reception".
- Another excuse was: "I've not been making payments as a baby magpie flew into my house and I had to stay in and feed it until it was ok."
- And one telly addict suggested the pet dog was the only viewer and so should not have to pay.
- The spokesman said: "It's been a top year for tall tales.
"Family members and the animal kingdom are among those that make an appearance in this year's list, as heard by TV Licensing's inquiry officers.
"From the sublime to the ridiculous, licence dodgers from all across the UK have been particularly inventive in their attempts to avoid paying their TV Licence."
He warned those watching television without a licence were breaking the law and faced a fine of up to £1,000.
TV Licensing's top 10 excuses:
1. "A pigeon fell down the chimney and broke the aerial so I have bad reception."
2. "My 11-year-old son must have bought the TV during the night. It wasn't there when I went to bed."
3. "My payment card's been stuck in the washing machine so I can't pay."
4. "I've not paid due to my shop only accepting £5 and £10 notes and I haven't got any of those."
5. "I've not been making payments as a baby magpie flew into my house and I had to stay in and feed it until it was ok."
6. "I only use the TV to keep the horses company and one of them is blind so I should only pay half if I have to pay at all."
7. "I can't get the TV out of the box - can you help me?"
8. "My dog watches it when I'm at work to keep him company - not me."
9. "My mum told me to tell you she's not in."
10. "I've not bought a licence as I dreamt I didn't have to and the saying is you've to follow your dreams."
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