Special event promotes responsible dog ownership

10 Apr 2019 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news

 

Northumberland County Council is running a Green Dog Walkers event at Eastfield Playing Fields in Cramlington on Saturday,  April 27 between 9am -12pm,

The event will promote responsible dog ownership and provide information, advice and support to ldog owners. People will be able to sign up to the scheme, get their dog micro-chipped or check that their dog is properly micro-chipped.  They will also be able to collect free poo bags and get advice from the council’s animal welfare officer.

Green Dog Walkers is a community-led programme aimed at reducing dog fouling by promoting responsible dog ownership across Northumberland.

Dog owners across the county are being  encouraged to join the 2,000 residents who have already signed up to the scheme. Those that sign up pledge to always clean up after their dog, put the bag in a bin and to use a friendly approach to encourage other dog walkers to do the same.  
Green dog walkers are sent  a green dog walkers badge to wear when walking their dog to help draw attention to the scheme as well as green doggy bags and pledge leaflets.

The council also provides a Green Dog Walkers support kit to local community groups and  individuals who want to get involved.

A council spokesperson said  “Dog fouling is one of our top environmental priorities and one of the issues most commonly raised with us by residents.  

“Green Dog Walkers is intended to be a friendly and non-confrontational approach to changing attitudes to the problem of dog fouling.

“It complements other council approaches across the county including issuing fines when irresponsible dog owners are caught allowing their dogs to foul without picking up after them and educational initiatives promoting responsible dog ownership.

"We are extremely grateful to all of our Green Dog Walkers for their commitment.  We have recently signed up our 2,000th member and I hope we get lots more members during 2019 and beyond.”

If you are interested in becoming a Green Dog Walker, please email greendogwalkers@northumberland.gov.uk, or visit www.northumberland.gov.uk/greendogwalkers