Foul cry over defecating dog

A transport minister in New South Wales has been criticised after arranging for his dog to be chauffeur-driven to a friend's house at the taxpayer's expense.

To add to the embarrassment, Belle, the collie bitch owned by politician Carl Scully, disgraced herself by defecating on the back seat of the minister's official car.

Now Mr Skully is being pressed by opposition MPs for an explanation as to why taxpayers' money was squandered on transport for his pet.

The minister has conceded that chauffeuring the dog was wrong. In the past, however, Mr Scully has criticised other minister's for exploiting what he called the "lurks and perks" of office.