Derbyshire youngsters call on dog owners to clean up after their pet

Pupils at Heage Primary School are sending a clear message to dog owners: bag it, bin it, be responsible.

Posters designed by the children are now on display around the village, encouraging responsible dog ownership and helping keep local spaces clean and safe.

The artwork follows a lively and engaging classroom session delivered by Amber Valley Borough Council, where hands shot up to answer questions and pupils eagerly shared their ideas about keeping their village clean.

More than 20 Year 6 pupils took part, learning why dog owners must clean up after their pets, as well as what it means to be a responsible dog owner, from making sure dogs are microchipped and well cared for to using leads and respecting shared spaces.

While the session was fun and interactive, the message was an important one.

Cleaning up after dogs helps keep shared spaces pleasant and safe for everyone, particularly in areas used by families and young people. It is an issue councils across the country continue to receive reports about, making education and awareness key.

Following the session, every pupil was invited to design a poster encouraging dog owners to clean up after their pets. Each child received a creative goodie bag, complete with templates and drawing materials, to help bring their ideas to life. In total, 11 poster designs were submitted.

All of the designs have now been professionally printed and installed by Amber Valley Borough Council around the school and nearby play areas, ensuring the children’s artwork and their voices are seen by the wider community.

Lindsey Roberts, teacher at Heage Primary School, said: “We’re really thankful to have been part of this initiative. The session was engaging and gave pupils lots of opportunities to get involved, and the message came across really clearly. It’s been a great opportunity for the children to showcase their artwork around the local area while learning about an important issue that affects their community.”

Councillor Elaine Sherman, Cabinet Member for Regulation and Community Safety at Amber Valley Borough Council, visited Heage to help Council officers install the posters around the village.

Speaking during the installation, Cllr Sherman said: “Cleaning up after your dog is a simple action that makes a real difference to our shared spaces, and it’s just one part of being a responsible dog owner.

“It has been fantastic to see the creativity and enthusiasm shown by the pupils at Heage Primary School.

“Young people are incredibly powerful advocates. They take these messages home, share them with their families and help shape the attitudes of the next generation. By involving them directly, we’re encouraging pride in their local environment and showing how education and positive engagement can make a real impact.”

Amber Valley Borough Council is already exploring opportunities to bring the initiative to other schools across the borough, giving more young people the opportunity to shape messages in their own communities.