Hawick pupils' video spreads dog mess message

SBSBR Hawick High News members Natasha Burns and Daniel Frankland join Cllr David Paterson to help launch their dog fouling video and a new poster campaign by Scottish Borders Council

A video created by Hawick High School's news team to highlight the issue of dog fouling has been launched.

The video was made by pupils to support Scottish Borders Council’s new responsible dog ownership strategy.

The video, shot in nearby Wilton Lodge Park, can be seen on SBC’s YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/scotborderscouncil.

The slogan in the video ‘Bag the poo – any bin will do’ has also inspired a new poster campaign to publicise the new £80 fine for dog fouling.

Led by senior pupils Ronald Yule and Matthew Frankland, Hawick High News has vastly improved communications in the school since being set up.

The group produces a monthly news broadcast, publish a monthly column in a local newspaper and run social media channels among other methods to communicate with pupils, staff and the community.

It has led to Ronald and Matthew being jointly nominated for Educational Supporter of the Year at the Scottish Education Awards.

Ronald said: “The team was pleased to help the Council with its dog fouling message.

“It is great to be able to take part and encourage the community to back the campaign and pick up after their dogs.”

Further information on SBC’s new responsible dog ownership strategy is available at www.scotborders.gov.uk/dogfouling.