Dog Control Team Reaches Out to Youngsters
One of the most rewarding parts of the Wandsworth Dog Control Officers' job is their outreach work with local schools.
Twice a year the team gets involved in the borough's Walk to School Week campaign, which includes assembly talks in primary schools on responsible dog ownership.
Last October the scheme was so popular it ran for a month, which meant officers could visit and educate many more children in the borough's primary schools. Fourteen and fifteen year olds can benefit from a work experience programme set up last year.
The programme gives vital knowledge and experience to young people considering a career working with dogs, including the day-to-day work of a Dog Control officer, dog handling with a Parks Police officer, a visit to Battersea Dogs' and Cats' Home and visits to welfare organisations, such as Putney RSPCA Hospital.
The department has also got involved in the new People with Dogs campaign, in which a film is broadcast in schools and youth clubs across London to teach youngsters about responsible dog ownership. See the news section for more details.
One of the team's most recent outreach projects is the Safe and Sound Programme, which teaches ten year olds how to be safe around dogs. The children are taught how to recognise body language and where and when they might be most at risk from being bitten. More schools will take part in the scheme after the Easter break.
Granard School in Putney was one of the first to take up this programme and feedback has been very positive. One parent wrote:
My daughter Olwyn asked me if I could write to thank you for the 'Safe and Sound' course she recently completed. She really enjoyed the course, particularly meeting Flyn the dog. Thank you for making this course so enjoyable.
For more information phone the Dog Control Service on (020) 8871 7606 or log onto www.wandsworth.gov.uk/dogs
Pictures: Dog control officer Lisa Martin with Ruby at one of their regular roadshows in the borough and Elliot Lipsi carries out work experience with the service.