Residents who have signed up to the county’s Green Dog Walker scheme can again collect free dog waste bags from Northumberland libraries.
 

All they have to do is show their green dog walker letter, armband or badge to a member of library staff as proof they are part of the scheme. 

The bags can then be distributed to other dog walkers to encourage responsible dog ownership across the county and to reduce dog fouling. 

The Green Dog Walker scheme is run by Northumberland County Council and has over 3,000 members of the public signed up to it. Under the initiative dog owners are encouraged to sign the Green Dog Walkers pledge - 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.   

Northumberland County Councillor John Riddle, cabinet member for local services 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.” 

To find your local library and opening times go to:  mylibrary.co.uk 

For further information about the Green Dog Walker scheme and to sign up online visit the council’s website www.northumberland.gov.uk/greendogwalkers 

Or email  greendogwalkers@northumberland.gov.uk