VANDALS have been attacking a Snowdog - causing damage to one of the sculptures intended to raise funds for terminally ill patients.

One of the sculptures was vandalised twice within days of the charity art trail launching.

Graffiti was scrawled over Dudley the Snowdog just hours after it was placed outside St Peter's Church.

The damage was cleaned off but vandals struck again on Saturday night and a large crack emerged in the giant model's back.

A wave of pictures of people sitting atop the sculptures also emerged online as Snowdog fever hit the city.

The Martlets hospice, which is fundraising with the trail, yesterday warned how any damage to the sculptures diverts vital funds from its terminally ill patients.

City council leader Warren Morgan said anyone harming the sculptures would be reported to police.

While Louise Dear, who spent hours carefully designing the dungarees-clad DIY themed dog, said the callous act was insulting to fellow artists.

As news of the damage spread, trail supporters swiftly closed ranks online with the hashtag #ProtectThePack and the Twitter page 'Snowdogyobs' was set up to name and shame vandals.

It urges anyone who has sat on a Snowdog to donate to The Martlets as an apology.

Martlets project manager Sarah Harvey said: "What people won't realise is that we have to pay for any repairs to the dogs.

"Please do not deface or climb on the Snowdogs, they are a piece of art.

"They need to be looked after so they are in the best condition for an auction at the end of the trail to raise even more money.

"Apart from this incident, we've had a fantastic and positive response to the trail, it has been brilliant so far."

Ms Dear, who designed two Snowdogs for the trail and owns the Crush gallery in Church Street, said: "I can't understand it, it doesn't make sense to me.

"I see graffiti as art and there is an understanding between these artists that they do not work on top of another's art so surely they should have some respect.

"The irony is my assistant Solveig helped on this project and she is the daughter of a well-known graffiti artist called Aroe. They clearly just are not thinking before acting."

Dockerills, the hardware store in Church Street, sponsored Dudley. Director Ryan Gayler has been cleaning off the graffiti tags.

He said: "We were very upset when we heard and it is ridiculous someone could be so callous - it is raising money for charity and there has been so much positivity about the project.

"Dudley keeps smiling and has become a bit of a character. We hope people will get the message and leave him alone.

"One message left on him was political with a reference to Obama and there was also abusive language which is not nice because children have been taking pictures with him and a lot of people have carefully spent a lot of time and money on him.

"We had to clean him carefully because he was designed with acrylic paint so we have to clean him carefully and we are repairing the crack now."

Warren Morgan, leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, said: "Snowdogs By The Sea is a fantastic addition to our streets, wonderful public art for a great cause, and every time I see one they are making people smile.

"So it is really sad to see someone didn’t care about any of that and thought it would make them feel good to vandalise one. 

"Our council staff, and I am sure most residents of Brighton and Hove, will be keeping a protective eye on the Snowdogs, and ensuring that anyone harming them is reported to the police.

"They will find out what being in the doghouse feels like."

Nev Kemp, the city's divisional commander for Sussex Police which has also sponsored a sculpture, said: "These are expensive and beautiful pieces of art, that have been placed around the city for thousands of people to enjoy and to raise money for the care of people who are terminally ill.

"Damaging them in anyway is disgraceful and we will take any reports of damage to any of the Snowdogs seriously.

"We appreciate the support of the public in ensuring they are protected and in passing on any information regarding who may be responsible for any damage to Sussex Police.”

Mayor Pete West called on street artists to spread the word that the dogs are not to be damaged, adding: "It's really disappointing the art and the cause are not being respected by some people. I hope they won't do it again."

Report any damage on the Snowdog hotline 0808 1641810

All this week Snowdog artists are taking over The Argus front page with special designs in celebration of the project. Click here to see today's which is all about happy thoughts

TRAIL RAISING VITAL FUNDS FOR HOSPICE

SNOWDOGS by the Sea is all about raising money for The Martlets hospice.

Sponsors have pledged thousands of pounds to back their particular sculpture and every time a visitor finds a Snowdog they are encouraged to text a donation to the charity.

Scores of volunteers have donated their time for free to help out on the project.

Yet every time a sculpture is damaged the hospice has to foot the bill for repairs to make sure they are in perfect condition for an auction on December 6.

This is when the Snowdogs go under the hammer to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for the charity.

The money will help terminally ill people live their life to the full and get the care they need. This could be in their own homes or at the hospice and include therapies, pain relief, emotional support for them and their family.

The Hove-based charity relies entirely on donations and receives no government funding.

Every penny raised will help. £15 will pay for urgent journeys for patients, £115 pays for a respite visit and £175 will fund a hospice home visit.

Several other Snowdog-themed fundraising events are taking place during the arts trail event including the selfie challenge today where 13 teams from city businesses will race to take as many pictures with the dogs in the shortest time possible.

Anyone can donate to the cause during the trail by texting SDOG16 £3 to 70070.

Snowdogs merchandise is on sale at Churchill Square Shopping Centre from Thursday to Sunday and at The Martlets shops in Church Street, Blatchington Road and London Road and online at snowdogarttrails.co.uk

TAKE PART IN THE TRAIL

THE Snowdogs by the Sea charity art trail is open until November 27.

There are 43 giant, individually decorated Snowdogs around the city, a 44th at London Victoria Railway Station, one huge sand sculpture, and 22 Snowpuppies in museums and libraries.

Send your Snowdog Selfies to The Argus to win a fabulous prize. Email snowdogs@theargus.co.uk with the subject ‘Argus Snowdog Selfie Competition’.

Include a large or high resolution jpg as an attachment with the full name and ages of everyone in the picture and where they live and a working contact telephone number by 5pm on Friday, November 18 or the entry will not be considered. Winners will be announced after the trail concludes. 

Snowdog hunters can unlock special offers and have the chance to win more prizes with an app.

Download it at snowdogsbythesea.co.uk or search for it on the App Store or Google Play. It works on iPhone and Android. Each giant dog has a QR code to scan and unlock. Prizes and special offers differ on each dog and include the chance to win a festive family weekend in Brighton.

When you find The Argus Newshound you could win a deluxe Christmas hamper sponsored by Choccywoccydoodah.

Do not forget to tweet @Argus_Newshound to tell him about your favourite Snowdog and share your pictures. 

The Argus is the official media partner for the Wild in Art project.