Great North Snowdogs damaged after unleashing

  • Published
A damaged snowdog in Sunderland
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This damaged snowdog in Sunderland was taped up while it awaited repair

A number of colourful snow dog sculptures have been damaged after being unleashed across Tyne and Wear.

A pack of 61 large and 97 smaller dogs, based on the animated film The Snowman and the Snowdog, make up a free public art trail.

They will be auctioned after the trail closes on 29 November to raise money for the St Oswald's Hospice charity.

Spokeswoman Jane Hogan said several had been taken to the "vets" with substantial damage.

"The vast majority of the damage is people being too enthusiastic and climbing on them," Ms Hogan said.

"Although they are pretty robust and they are varnished, they will only withstand a certain amount of attention, but we do ask people not to climb on them."

A Sunderland snowdog with damage to its head
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This sculpture, also in Sunderland, suffered damage to the head

Snowdog watching jumping sealImage source, Blue Reef Tynemouth Aquarium
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A snowdog is not the usual kind of animal to be welcomed at Tynemouth's Blue Reef Aquarium

Child stroking dog in SunderlandImage source, David James Wood
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Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens forms part of the trail

SAFC LadiesImage source, St Oswald's Hospice
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SAFC Ladies got the chance to meet one of the 1.5m (4.9ft) high snowdogs

Snowdog on the Millennium Bridge on the River TyneImage source, St Oswald's Hospice
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Visitors to the Gateshead Millennium Bridge will come across this sculpture

Snowdog
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Some of the dogs also appear inside shops

Monument Metro Station
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A number of Metro stations have been given temporary names, with Monument becoming Monumutt

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