A homeowner said they did not think they had to pay their TV license¹ fee because they claimed their pet was related to one of the Queen's dogs.

 

Other excuses given to officials by evaders last year included watching a stolen TV set, TV Licensing² said.

 

More than 400,000 people were caught watching TV without a license in 2012.

 

UK residents are legally required to have a license if they watch or record TV at the same time as it is broadcast or could face a fine of up to £1,000.

 

A color TV license costs £145.50 while a black-and-white license costs £49.

 

In January, TV Licensing revealed that more than 13,000 households across the UK were still using black-and-white television sets.

 

Excuses for non-payment given last year included:

 

"Apparently³ my dog, which is a corgi, was related to the Queen's dog so I didn't think I needed a TV license"

 

"Why would I need a TV license for a TV I stole? Nobody knows I've got it"

 

"Only my three-year-old son watches the TV. Can you take it out of the family allowance（家庭津贴） I receive for him? He watches it so he should pay"

 

"I had not paid as I received a lethal⁴ injection"

 

"I don't want to pay for a license for a full year. Knowing my luck I'll be dead in six months and won't get value for money"

 

"I have lost weight recently and had to buy new clothes. That's why I could not afford to buy a TV license"

 

TV Licensing spokesman Stephen Farmer said: "Some of the excuses are simply hilarious⁵（非常滑稽的） whilst others show a great deal of imagination and creativity but being caught without a valid⁶ TV license is a criminal offence and no laughing matter.

 

"Joking and wacky excuses apart, it's breaking the law to watch live television without a license so anybody doing this risks prosecution⁷ and a fine of up to £1,000."

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