DOG has been booked for illegal parking.

The blue heeler was tied to a fence outside Rapid Creek Market when it was approached by two Darwin City Council traffic wardens.

One of the inspectors wrote out a ticket – and taped it to the dog's lead.

Witness Ray McEvoy said he couldn't believe his eyes.

"I watched an elderly lady and her very faithful blue heeler roll up at the market," he said.

"The lady tied the dog to the fence and gave him a bowl full of water.

"And off she went into the markets.

"Then two traffic inspectors came along. They had a bit of a talk and, to my amazement, wrote out a warning infringement notice for the dog and taped it to his lead rope."

Mr McEvoy said the dog was tied to a fence well away from the foodstalls.

"It was on a path rarely used," he said. "And the owner made sure the dog was in the shade.

"It wasn't in distress at all. In fact, it was the most placid blue heeler I've seen in my life."

Mr McEvoy, who runs a commercial cleaning business, said the booking caused quite a stir.

The dog owner was last seen marching off in pursuit of the parking inspectors.

Council spokesman Grant Fenton said a dog was considered to be "at large" if the owner was not there.

"You can't tie up a dog and leave it," he said.