A FUN dog show at Lodmoor Country Park lived up to its name when dozens of dog owners gathered to go barking mad.

Chairman of The Friends of Lodmoor Country Park, Dinah Ellis, said: “We had a great day, a real community event, enjoyed by all. The feedback has been wonderful. The organising committee and volunteer helpers put hours of work into making the day a success and it paid off. We are extremely grateful to Mary Larkin and The Dogs Trust for their advice and support, and WPBC for their help.

“Thanks also to all the local businesses who donated goods for the tombola.”

Ten classes catering for the youngest dog to the best behaved were entered by hopeful owners and a wide variety of dogs of every shape and size.

Rosettes were awarded to 40 prize pets by judges Gail Marshall and Sheila Lane of Nose 2 Tail Ringcraft Club. Councillor Bill White opened the show and made the announcements throughout.

The event began with the presentation of a specially-commissioned engraved frame for the winner of the Lodmoor Friends’ Facebook page Look Alike contest.

Liz Bartlett’s carefully chosen hat secured her winning place alongside floppy-eared pet Megan.

Those seeking more entertainment than the high jinks in the ring had a doggy-themed tombola to try their luck at, and there were stalls offering high-quality art and craft items, and promoting pet services and animal charities. Representatives of the Margaret Green Animal Rescue and Guide Dogs for the Blind expressed their satisfaction with the interest their stalls had attracted, whilst 20 dogs were micro-chipped for free by The Dogs Trust team.

Children of all ages competed against the clock to bag and bin plastic poo, showing just how it should be done to keep the park a pleasant place to play.

The profit from the Must Be Barking event will go towards promoting responsible and considerate use of the park by dog owners and their pets.

Posters designed by pupils of St. John’s School will soon be appearing in the vicinity of the children’s play area, to remind people that, for health reasons, play areas should be dog-free at all times.