Vandals target sign put up to keep youngsters safe

Vandals have defaced a sign which urged dog owners to keep their pets out of a popular playground, erected to keep young people safe.
The words ‘Too officious’ were scrawled across the sign in West Park, Bognor Regis, in large black letters earlier this week.
It was put up after concerned parents reported that out-of-control dogs had been chasing their children as they played on the zip wire and had urinated over their coats and bags, left nearby.
Arun District Council has now paid to have the sign, which makes dog owners aware of Arun’s Dog Control Order, professionally cleaned.
Councillor Terence Chapman, Arun District Council’s Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, said: “We were very disappointed to discover this sign had been vandalised. The sign clearly states what the Dog Control Order entails and is designed to assist dog owners, so we are perplexed as to why somebody would want to deface it.
“If an owner can’t adequately control their pet then they should put it on a lead to allow youngsters to play without fear of being chased by dogs. For playgrounds designed for older children, the signs are considered to be a cost-effective alternative to fencing. They deliver a clear message designed to enable children and young people to fully enjoy the fantastic parks that we provide in Arun.”
Anybody with any information about the vandalism is asked to email parks@arun.gov.uk, or phone 01903 737951.
For more information about dogs in public places and orders to control them, please see our dog control orders page.