I HAD thought that begging had been stopped in Oxford City centre.

I was amazed to see a woman taking up half the pavement in Cornmarket last Saturday, ostensibly selling some kind of Christmas products.

However all the people I saw drop money into her cup said ‘this is for your dog’, a collie cross breed.

This animal was lying on freezing cold paving slabs. It has been used by several beggars, one being prohibited from begging with a guitar outside Marks and Spencer.

I spoke to that man about the dog lying on cold ground, pointing out the risk of arthritis. He later gave it a blanket.

And the woman I saw begging (selling) on Saturday used to be in a wheelchair.

If she is disabled she will receive disability benefits and has no need to use an old dog to earn her money.

G ROBINSON
Oxford