RESIDENTS are being encouraged to become a Green Dog Walker with the launch of a new Malvern Hills scheme to help tackle the issue of dog fouling in the area.
The district council started the project this week and supports the Public Space Protection Order which created new powers to help deal with people who failed to control or clean up after their dogs.
All Green Dog Walkers will take a pledge to clean up after their dog, carry extra waste bags, be happy to lend bags to those without them and be a friendly reminder to other dog walkers to clean up after their pet.
Coun Bronwen Behan, portfolio holder for environment on Malvern Hills District Council, said: “We are really pleased to be launching this new friendly scheme within the district.
“Volunteers will also be helping us to take another step towards educating and encouraging irresponsible dog owners to change their behaviour and clean up after their pets.”
Those who sign up to the scheme will receive a GDW badge, free poo bags, a dog bandana and a volunteer pack.
GDW is a national scheme which has previously won the UK Kennel Club Dog Recognition Award and featured at Crufts.
It was also a finalist for the CIWM Innovation in Waste Management Award.
The scheme comes two months after members of the district council’s community services team produced a music video to highlight the proper way people should deal with their dog’s poo.
Dan Bayliss and Jude Allen decided using music would be a fun way of getting the message across, with the My Doggy’s Done a Whoopsie track hitting the right note with users of social media.
The song, which is set to the tune of ‘He’s Got the Whole World in his Hands’, features lyrics promoting the message people can put bagged dog mess in any litter bin.
“The video was a bit of fun but it had a serious message to it,” said Jude.
“There’s really no excuse for leaving your dog’s poo on the floor, on a wall, hanging off a tree or any of the other places we find it.
“Hopefully the power of song will help people remember when their dog does a poo they should pick it up and put it in a bin, any bin.”
Last year the district council also became the first authority in Worcestershire to make it an offence for dog owners not to carry a dog poo bag or other means of cleaning up after their pet.
Failing to do so could result in a £100 fixed penalty notice or court action which could also result in a fine of up to £1,000.
To become a Green Dog Walker or for more information visit www.malvernhills.gov.uk/green-dog-walkers or email [email protected].
Dog fouling can be reported online at www.malvernhills.gov.uk/dog-fouling.
