Green Dog Walking Scheme

Following work between ourselves and SDDC officers over the issue of persistent Dog Fouling we are very happy to share the following information:

 

The Environmental Health Department have looked into a scheme run by other councils and achieved funding to enable it to run across South Derbyshire.

We hope that lots of people sign up to the scheme and we see a reduction in the amount of dog fouling in the area and especially away from play areas and schools.

It already has an endorsement via the "I Love Swad" page on Facebook, albeit with some tongue in cheek comments too!

Below is an explanation of the scheme from SDDC Environmental Health Manager Matt Holford:

 

On the 27^th November we launch a new initiative to improve dog stewardship across our district and to seek to reduce dog fouling.

 

The Green Dog Walker Pledge is an initiative which asks dog owners to sign a Pledge whereby they;

 

·         Make a commitment to always clean up after their dog;

·         Will give other dog walkers extra doggie bags if they do not have any, and;

·         Agree to promote the Green Dog Walker message with other dog owners by wearing branded leads, armbands and badges which they will get for free when they sign up.

 

Academic research indicates that one of the biggest influences which makes irresponsible owners pick up is peer pressure. Our Safer Neighbourhood Wardens do their very best to catch and deter irresponsible dog owners, but academic research and experience on the ground shows that the biggest successes in reducing fouling come when communities come together and make it clear that it is socially unacceptable not to pick up.

 

The philosophy of the campaign is therefore twofold.

 

Firstly to increase conscientiousness amongst the majority of responsible dog owners to make sure that they always pick up.

 

Secondly, to use responsible dog owners to promote the Green Dog Walker brand to help build the peer pressure and shift public attitudes so that it becomes socially unacceptable not to pick up after a dog.

 

We launch the Pledge in Eureka Park on the 27^th where we are hosting a joint event with the Dogs Trust who will be micro chipping dogs for free.

 

A page on our website will also go live on the 27^th where residents can sign up on-line.