Dogs Trust Malta has launched two educational publications, a leaflet and a story book aimed at promoting responsible dog ownership by children. The booklet was authored by Candace Vella Bencini, Dogs Trust Malta's former Education Officer.

The fully illustrated educational booklets provide practical insight on the responsibilities of becoming a dog owner and being a responsible dog owner.

The book, 'Poppy's Puppies' is a collection of stories about puppy residents at Dogs Trust's rehoming centre until they found their happy endings, as told by Poppy, Dogs Trust's own office dog.

The booklet will be given to school children aged 7-11 while the book will be made available to primary school students at their school libraries. Both aim to educate the children and their families about man's best friend while entertaining and furthering children's interest in reading. They will be distributed to schools in the coming weeks.

Ms Vella Bencini presented the booklets after giving a short summary of her activities with Dogs Trust Malta. "I have enjoyed and will miss visiting schools with Macy and sharing some memorable moments. Knowing my term was soon over I came up with the idea of creating a booklet. I wanted something I could leave behind and that children can use as a reference point. A guide regarding responsible ownership, as I do believe we will have better dog owners in the near future."

Since 2009 Dogs Trust Malta has held interactive workshops in schools helping over 53,000 students learn about responsible ownership, staying safe around dogs and dogs' needs. Education of the young alongside the free neutering scheme for dogs owned by pensioners, people on benefits, hunters and farmers aims to reach the day when all dogs can enjoy a happy life, free from the threat of unnecessary destruction. Dogs Trust Malta has helped neuter some 14,000 dogs since 2009.

The publications were supported by the Ministry for Education and Employment and Borg Cardona Co. Ltd. Attending the launch at the Gharghur Primary School, Maria Regina College, Minister Bartolo welcomed the initiative as enriching the educational experience of primary students.