Northumberland celebrates its 3,000th Green Dog Walker

07 Oct 2019 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news

 

A scheme which encourages responsible dog ownership in Northumberland has signed up its 3,000th member.
 
Geoffrey Leach from Nedderton Village committed to the scheme by filling out a Green Dog Walker pledge at an event held at Plessey Woods Country Park.
 
He and his Golden Retriever called Connie regularly walk in and around Plessey Woods Country Park where he likes to support responsible dog ownership by always making sure that he cleans up after his dog.
 
The Green Dog Walkers scheme is a community-led programme to reduce dog fouling by promoting responsible dog ownership across the county. 
 
Dog owners are encouraged to join by signing the Green Dog Walkers pledge. Those signing the pledge agree to always clean up after their dog and put the bag in a bin and to use a friendly approach to encourage other dog walkers to do the same.  
 
Those who sign up are sent a Green Dog Walkers badge to wear when walking their dog to help draw attention to the scheme as well as distribute green doggy bags. 
 
The council also provides a Green Dog Walkers support kit to local community groups and  individuals who want to get involved. 
 
Northumberland County Councillor, Glen Sanderson, cabinet member for the environment and local services presented Geoffrey with a hamper of dog-related gifts as a reward for being the 3,000th member of the scheme in the county.
 
Councillor Sanderson 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 compliments 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 Geoffrey and the other 2,999 people who have signed up to the scheme for their efforts.”
 
The council has been running a series of events across Northumberland over the past year to promote the Green Dog Walkers scheme. Those attending were able to sign up to the scheme, get their dog microchipped for free, or have their existing microchips checked. 

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


Pictured: Dog Warden Gemma Fowle, with Geoffrey Leach and his dog Connie and Northumberland County Councillor  Glen Sanderson Cabinet member for Local Services and the Environment with 3000th Green Dog Walker Geoffrey Leach