Pupils at Blaenau School are appealing to residents to clean up after their dogs

They have designed posters to put up in the local community to encourage people to put their dog mess in the bin.

It was one of a number of activities carried out during National Poop Scoop Week to raise awareness of dog fouling and its consequences.

Headteacher Elfed Wood said: “It’s a very important message we’re trying to pass on to ensure that children are able to participate in a wide range of activities on our playing field safely – that’s why we thought we would get the children on board to help pass on the message.”

 

A special school assembly was held and council Chair Cllr Sian Thomas and Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones were invited along to judge the poster competition.

There were five winners in total: Nicole Davies, Elin Owen, Emily Jeacock, Ethan Duncan and

Elisabeth Thorneycroft.

Cllr Jones said: “I was very impressed by the standard of the posters; the pupils came up with some great ideas to try and encourage people to clean up after their pets. I just hope residents will take notice of them; dog mess left anywhere is a serious health risk.”

The work is being carried out as part of the school’s commitment to the Eco Schools programme. Blaenau School has already achieved the Silver award but is working towards the coveted Green Flag.

Cllr Thomas said: “Under the leadership of the new head, Blaenau school has turned into a dynamic forward thinking school which offers the pupils a whole range of activities, caring for the environment being a principal theme. I am so pleased to see the children being so pro-active in their campaign to clear up dog mess. The poster competition was a real eye opener in the use of IT and the striking and colourful art works. They are also to be commended for their bilingual outlook and as a school governor I am very proud of the pupils’ splendid achievements.”

The council is asking people to help tackle dog fouling by reporting offences under its ‘Dog Watch’ scheme.

Anyone caught failing to pick up after their pet can be issued with a fixed penalty notice of £75 or face prosecution in court and a maximum fine of £1,000.

To report dog fouling please call Carmarthenshire Direct on 01267 234567 or complete the online form at www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk