An article carried in a recent issue of Untitled Document may have implied that South Bank Show presenter Melvyn Bragg carries an electric stun gun with him whilst walking in parks and other public spaces, which he uses to deliver violent and painful shocks to any dogs below two feet in height.

Mr Bragg assures us that this is not the case, and that he has nothing against man’s best friend, no matter how small.

We apologise to Mr Bragg for any distress our story may have caused him or people with dogs who have seen him in parks.