An airline has been fined £500 for bringing a Staffordshire bull terrier into Scotland.
The dog arrived in Edinburgh on a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flight in April, despite the Rabies Order banning the transport of animals into the city.
A lawyer acting on the firm's behalf pleaded guilty to the offence at Edinburgh Justice of the Peace Court on Monday.
The court heard that a woman from Russia had been stopped by Customs Officials as she made her way through the green customs channel at the airport following a flight from Amsterdam.
Solicitor Laura Irvine said KLM apologised for the incident, which had been caused by "human error".
She said the dog had a pet passport but had been checked on the flight to Edinburgh by mistake. The woman should have travelled to Heathrow, which is certified to receive animals.
The owner was bringing the dog to Scotland for breeding purposes but was sent back to Amsterdam after the mistake was discovered.
She eventually made her way back to Scotland by the correct legal channels.
KLM paid the woman 550 Euros for the flight and compensation of 22,020 roubles, about £450.
Justice, Andrew Lorraine-Smith, said the firm had not deliberately flouted regulations, adding: "I would be failing in my duty not to impose a financial penalty, but I can be more lenient than otherwise".
He reduced the fine from £750 to £500 and gave the firm 28 days to pay up.
Last updated: 09 November 2009, 13:19
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