New Green Dog Walkers scheme launches in Fenland village

Wisbech St Mary has become the latest Fenland community to set up a Green Dog Walkers scheme as part of a nationwide campaign aimed at changing attitudes towards dog fouling.

Fenland District Council launched the scheme in Church Road on Wednesday, February 19, when 13 owners took the Green Dog Walkers pledge and registered 17 dogs.

Volunteers who signed up to the scheme received a welcome pack which included a dog tag (showing that the dog owner is a member of Green Dog Walkers), a roll of biodegradable dog bags, a welcome letter and a copy of the pledge.

As part of the launch, a dog bag dispenser has also been installed on the corner of Church Road and Station Drive in partnership with the landowners, Clarion Housing. The Council hopes that installing the dispenser will not only encourage dog walkers to be responsible and pick up after their dogs but also provide them with the right tools to do so.

Successful Green Dog Walkers schemes have now been launched across Fenland in March, Chatteris, Whittlesey, Wimblington and Wisbech, with local Street Pride groups hoping to encourage more communities to set up schemes too.

The Green Dog Walkers Scheme is a non-confrontational and friendly way to change attitudes about dog fouling and encourages responsible dog ownership whilst also reminding others that they need to pick up after their dog and keep them under control.

Councillor Peter Murphy, Fenland’s portfolio holder for the environment, said: “While the vast majority of dog owners in our communities are considerate, responsible and realise the impact that dog fouling has on our environment, there remains a small minority who continue to blight our public spaces.

“Community action such as the Green Dog Walkers scheme is excellent to see and sets a great example to those less inclined to clean up after their dogs. I encourage anyone who is interested in this programme to please get in touch and take the Green Dog Walkers pledge.”

For more information about joining one of the Green Dog Walkers schemes in March, Chatteris, Whittlesey, Wimblington, Wisbech or Wisbech St Mary – or to enquire about launching a new one in your community – please email streetpride@fenland.gov.uk

Witnessed dog fouling? The public’s help makes it easier to catch offenders, owners who fail to clean up after their dogs can be reported online at: www.fenland.gov.uk/dogfouling