More than 500 people were out with their dogs at Morden Park on Saturday, 19 May, for the latest Dog Watch event.

Dog Watch, a neighbourhood scheme for dog owners, was set up by Merton Police, in partnership with the council and Merton Priory Homes, to tackle anti-social behaviour in the borough.

The scheme encourages Merton’s dog walkers to be the ‘eyes and ears’ of the community by passing on useful information that will help to make the borough cleaner and safer.

The dog show was the main attraction of the event on Saturday, which included more than 100 entrants. Show prizes were supplied by local businesses Doggy Boutique and Allium florists.

Dog show winners:

Cutest Puppy

Sandra Lee’s 3-month-old Bichon Frise called Cookie.

Best Male

Dina Johnson’s 3-year-old Charley

Best Female

Jonathan Sandler’s English Springer Spaniel called Lilly, aged 5

Merton Mutt

1st Prize – Pauline Philips’ Flat-Coated Retriever called Bracken, aged 5

2nd Prize – Tanya Russell’s Staff Cross Murray, aged 6

3rd Prize – Georgia DeLeslie’s Jack Russell called Daisy, 18 months.

Around 14 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.

For more information about Dog Watch, visit: http://www.merton.gov.uk/dogwatch.

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