We are a nation of dog lovers but they do poo a lot and are unable clean up after themselves and some dog owners don’t bother to clean up after their pets either and it’s disgusting, especially if you walk in it or push your wheelchair through it.

To try to put an end to this situation Louth County Council organised an art and design competition for schoolchildren as part of their ongoing campaign to raise awareness about Dog Fouling so schoolchildren throughout County Louth have created artwork encouraging dog owners to bag it and dispose of it in a civilised manner.

The competition was aimed at school children around the county, whose winning designs will feature on litter bins and community spaces throughout County Louth and this week they announced the winners.

Entrants were tasked with designing a fun and humorous A4 sticker to be displayed on litter bins across County Louth and a fun and engaging A3 poster to raise awareness.

The winners and their respective schools are below:

A4 Sticker Competition

• 1^st: Mary Rafferty (8), St Oliver Plunket NS
• 2^nd: Ciara Keavney (11), Scoil Naomh Bríd, Ardaghy
• 3^rd: Conor McManus (7), St Malachy’s Infant School

A3 Poster Competition

• 1^st: Rachel Barnes (12), Scoil San Nioclás
• 2^nd: Ciara Fogarty (10), Scoil Mhuire na Trócaire
• 3^rd: Rosaleen McDermott (13), St Louis Secondary School

Congratulations to all the winners! Your creativity will help spread an important message and will be used to help raise awareness and remind everyone to clean up after their dogs!