Tackling hate crime with Pugney the Pal

Children across our district have been learning about hate crime, featuring a brave and friendly dog.

The Council created a workbook that shows how Pugney the Pal has faced adversity in his life. He’s different to other dogs. He wears an eyepatch and has one ear shorter than the other. Because of his differences, he was bullied. Pugney shares the message of being kind with children aged 7-9.

Pugney has travelled to schools where children were invited to complete a workbook with fun activities that encourage them to think about being kind and caring.

The workbook explains to children what to do if they see someone being bullied and asks them to make a difference by spreading kindness and tackling hate.

The workbooks were sent out to schools and are also available on website Pol-Ed, a positive force in education, providing over 800 schools with free resources that encourage children and young people to be good citizens.

The service was created in 2019 as a collaboration between ex-teachers and police officers from West Yorkshire. It focuses on policing priorities and will be pushed out nationally as it grows.

Pugney the Pal workbooks are also available from local libraries and family hubs across the district.

The messaging makes it clear there’s no place for hate in our district and teaches our children that it is completely unacceptable.

Hate crimes are taken very seriously in the district, and the Council is dedicated to providing support to victims. If you have been a victim or have witnessed a hate crime, you can report it. Visit www.wakefield.gov.uk/HateCrime to find out more about the support available.