Doggy pageant heats up

There's just one week left for proud dog owners to nominate their pooches in a fiercely contested competition to join Newcastle City Council's responsible dog ownership campaign team.
 
The online beauty pageant encouraging Novocastrian canine owners to post a pic of their four-legged friend to our Facebook, Twitter or Instagram feeds has already attracted around 300 responses (pictured below are five random entries).

Entries will be judged by a panel of Council staff and one councillor before the three winning photos are sent to local illustrator Judy Nadin, who will create a cartoon likeness of each to join NCC's all-star cast.

A boxer, silky terrier, bull terrier, cattle dog, Staffordshire bull terrier, spaniel, poodle and Jack Russell terrier are already members of the illustrious team.

"From what I've seen, the judges are going to have their work cut out whittling away the contestants to just three dogs," said Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes.
 
"We started this as a fun way to get our message across about responsible dog ownership, but we may live to regret it when we have to inform some proud owners that their nomination has been unsuccessful."

Dog owners can enter by following Newcastle City Council on Facebook (@newcastlecouncil), Twitter (@citynewcastle) or Instagram (@citynewcastle) and post a photo of their dog to our wall or send via private message by Thursday 25 January.

Meanwhile, Council will launch a survey this Friday to inform a strategy on dogs in open spaces that will help convey community needs, issues and ideas relating to off-leash areas.
 
Council has consulted with key organisations, sporting groups and park committees, held on-site sessions at four off-leash parks and attended the annual Pups in the Park event at Lambton Park.
 
"The strategy will consider what is and isn’t working at existing sites, whether all existing off-leash areas are used and required, and the need for any potential new sites for off-leash areas, including some fenced dog parks," Councillor Nelmes added.
 
"The strategy will also consider options to improve responsible dog ownership."
 
For more information on the community engagement sessions, click here
 
For interviews call 4974 2264 or let me know by return email.