Dogs suspected of weakening British town's lampposts

HENLEY, England, July 8 (UPI) -- Oxfordshire officials say the lampposts in Henley, England, aren't sturdy enough for hanging baskets due to rust suspected to have been caused by dog urine.

The Oxfordshire County Council said hanging baskets are being banned from the cast-iron lampposts in Henley because of rust damage at their bases, the Henley Standard reported Monday.

"A lamppost on the riverside, to which hanging baskets were attached, developed a list, brought about by rusting at the base," David Nimmo Smith, Henley's county councilor, said in a report to the Town Council. "The county officers have suggested that the rusting is because this was a favored stopping-off point for dogs, although I have no evidence to substantiate this."

Replacement lampposts are being sought, but officials said they will not be in place in time for the annual Britain in Bloom contest judging later this month.