SEATTLE -- A local man's car was towed away by the city while sitting in front of his house.

At 91, there's not much that Burt Miller stews over. But when the city towed away his beloved SUV, he was stunned.

"Well, it just makes you mad, that's all," he said. "You're just attached to your car. Men - I guess they're just that way."

A parking enforcement officer tagged the car abandoned.

"That's ridiculous," Miller said, laughing. "That's absolutely ridiculous. I don't know how they could figure it was abandoned."

City law says any vehicle not moved in 72 hours can be considered abandoned. An anonymous caller had complained about Miller's car.

Burt's neighbor, Greg Aden, asked the officer tagging the car to reconsider.

"It was not abandoned. He (the officer) said 'this is my job,'" he said.

Seattle police won't comment, but said officers can use discretion.

"I'm frankly shocked the city of seattle has this on the books," Aden said.

Aden knows the car is Miller's last link to independence. Because of early dementia, he hasn't driven it in over a year but can't bring himself to part with it.

And Miller can't park in his driveway. It's just too narrow and also has a huge bump that's sure to rip off the oil pan.

Miller and Aden never heard of the 72 hour rule, and worry you haven't either.

"A random tip can get your property taken away," Aden said.

The head of parking enforcement said instead of 72 hours, the city waited five days before towing Miller's car. Officers said they try to work with car owners.

The city responds to some 30,000 complaints per year. Miller had to shell out $450 to get his car out of the impound lot.

The Seattle City Attorney's Office said Miller's only options are to squeeze his car into his driveway, get rid of it or have someone move it every three days.