Everything But the Dog 

May 9, 2001 Carlisle, UK

A man was found guilty by Carlisle Magistrates' Court this week, fined £650 and slapped with a restraining order forbidding him to approach his ex-wife.

Then why did he have such a big smile on his face at his sentencing?

Maybe you can figure it out:

Frank Hannen, 40, was divorced by his wife Andrea Hannen some time last year.  The man's wife apparently left him and took up a residence at an unknown location, contacting the man only to discuss (or allegedly "extort", as you'll soon find out) the terms of their separation.

The divorce was finalized, but the story wasn't over yet.  Late last year, Mr. Hannen hired a private detective to find his estranged wife.  After learning of her whereabouts in Portland Square, Carlisle, Mr. Hannen, at 7:00am last November, found the location and waited nearby.

The ex-wife appeared, taking the dog on a usual morning walk, and Mr. Hannen made his move.  He confronted the woman, no doubt surprising her, but perhaps not quite as much as she was surprised when he grabbed the dog and vanished into the early morning mist.

In court this week, the enigmatic details finally surfaced.  Mr. Hannen told the Magistrate that last year after the separation, Ms. Hannen did in fact return to the Hannen residence, "tricked her way in without permission" and snatched Mr. Hannen's Bichon Frisé, Sophie.

Sophie was allegedly used to force Mr. Hannen, under duress, to agree to terms of the divorce.

The man told the court, "Sophie means more to me than my wife at this minute. I love that dog to bits."

Mr. Hannen was fined £650 and placed under a restraining order yesterday after he was found guilty of harassing his wife over the dog. He was also found guilty of making up to 75 telephone calls to her house between November 13 and December 8 last year.

But he got his dog back.

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