Absolutely Barking…

Around 450 pupils from eight different schools in Bromley took part in the Junior Citizenship Scheme at Malcolm Primary School, in Malcolm Road, Penge.

Bromley police joined forces with the London Fire Brigade, RNLI, TfL, parks services, UK Power Network, Tramlink and Battersea Cats and Dogs Home to help teach Year 6 students important safety lessons.

That’s a rather odd assemblage of services, isn’t it?

The Met's Junior Citizenship Scheme co-ordinator, Helen Andrews, said: "It's to really highlight some of the dangers the children might come across when they start the transition in to Year 7 and to make them aware of their responsibilities to act sensibly and responsibly."

OK, so, I can see why you’d involve the fire brigade, the lifeboatmen, the railways staff (I vividly remember the bloodcurdling lecture we all got at secondary school on the dangers of the live rail! Something that would never be said in today's litigious society...), but why Battersea Dogs Home..?

Youngsters met Frank, a six-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier, who was rescued and rehomed by Battersea Cats and Dogs Home.

They were told what signs to look out for when a dog is angry, playful and scared.

/facepalm

Once again, we can’t seem to crack down on the wrongdoers (chavs with out-of-control status dogs), so we’ll teach everyone else how to walk on eggshells around them…

Education officer for the animal charity, Amy Watson, said: "It's something Battersea has been doing for a long time. It's a good idea to make sure people of all ages, especially children, know how to behave around dogs, not only for themselves but so dogs do not get scared."

Well, I suppose there’s some small measure of sense in getting children (who may never have seen a dog at close quarters for cultural reasons) used to a dog’s natural method of behaviour and…

Oh:

Frank performed tricks for the pupils including rolling over, singing and weaving through his owner's legs.

*sigh*

Yeah, that'll help...