More than 500 people attended a family event aimed at recruiting crime-fighting dog walkers.
The Merton Dog Watch event, supported by the RSPCA’s Wimbledon branch who were on hand to give owners advice on their pets, at Morden Park on Saturday, May 19.
The scheme is a joint venture between the police and the council and, similar to Neighbourhood Watch, encourages dog owners to look out for suspicious activity while walking their pets.
Leading the scheme, Community Support Officer Duncan Peck, said it was an opportunity for owners to get advice and information on the laws surrounding so-called ‘status dogs’.
The winners included:
Cutest Puppy: Sandra Lee's three-month-old Bichon Frise called Cookie.
Best Male: Dina Johnson's three-year-old Charley.
Best Female: Jonathan Sandler's English Springer Spaniel called Lilly, aged five
Merton Mutt:
- 1st Prize – Pauline Philips; Flat Coat Retriever called Bracken, aged five
- 2nd Prize – Tanya Russell; Staff Cross Murray, aged six
- 3rd Prize – Georgia DeLeslie; Jack Russell called Daisy, 18 months.
Fourteen dogs were chipped on the day and 40 Dog Watch members were signed up, taking the membership to over 600 since its launch last May.
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