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A young artist has been rewarded for her work after being chosen as the winner of a poster competition.
As part of the Foul Play campaign, which the Times Guardian is running in partnership with Swale council, we asked children to design a picture to highlight the importance of leaving the streets clean from dog poo.
The scheme aims to get people to act responsibly and clear up after their pets and is encouraging residents to report when, where and who they see breaking the rules, to help wardens catch them in the act.
The entries we received were judged by Mayor of Swale Cllr Sue Gent and STG reporter Emma Grove.
Sheerness resident Chloe Pattison’s poster was chosen as the winner.
She is a West Minster Primary School pupil but took part through the after school club Sheppey Youth Action.
The 10-year-old was presented with her prizes, a selection of dog toys from campaign supporters Abbey Vets in Halfway and an art set and book token from Swale council, by animal control officer Tim Oxley at the school in St George’s Avenue, Sheerness, yesterday (Tuesday).
Youth worker Hazel Hannigan had encouraged club members to get involved and was delighted one won.
“It was all their own work – I’m absolutely thrilled,” she said.
Cllr Gent said Chloe’s picture was chosen because it contained so much information.
“It’s great the children are taking an interest because it means they will become responsible dog owners,” she added.
The winning drawing will be made up and displayed in shop windows, at Abbey Vets and it will soon be available for download from Swale council’s website.
Foul Play is calling on Islanders to help by letting the council know who is not picking up the mess, where it is happening and when.
It is difficult for council wardens to catch people in the act, so information from witnesses will help them target their resources effectively and, hopefully, enable them to identify those responsible.
Anyone spotted can be issued an on-the-spot fixed penalty of £80, or £60 if paid within seven days.
Failure to pay can result in prosecution, with a maximum £1,000 fine.
