Kids send a message to dog owners

KINGHOLM Quay Community Council have revealed the winners of their dog fouling poster competition. They challenged P4-7 pupils at Brownhall Primary to come up with designs encouraging dog walkers to clear up after their pets. Explaining why, a community council spokesperson said: “We have had an increasing issue with dog mess in the area for some time. Residents were contacting us about many large piles of poo along the route to Brownhall Primary and where children play, as well as left directly outside garden gates where residents would step in it when leaving their houses. “We sought the advice of the community safety team, who came to one of our meetings to explain how they can catch and fine dog owners. “One of our members cleared away over 30 bags of poo around the bus stop in Kingholm and the council provided us with some additional bins for around the village. “But when it came to adding signs encouraging owners to clear up after their dogs, we thought it would be lovely to have children from the local school design these for us.” They praised the youngsters for their efforts, saying it was difficult to pick winners, but in the end the prizes went to Ben, Jessica and Honey. Their designs have been made into permanent signs with the support of Signcraft Signs and the Veterans Garden Dumfries. The project was part financed by Annandale and Nithsdale Community Benefit Company. The spokesperson added: “These signs have been put up around the village. We are delighted to be able to share the talents of our competition winners to help keep Kingholm Quay cleaner and more pleasant for the community and visitors alike. We hope the winners enjoy seeing their art work so proudly displayed.”