Green Dog Walkers
Green Dog Walkers is a new initiative by Environment Section, Clare Co Council, which encourages dog owners to clean up after their animals and is a non-confrontational, friendly way to change dog owner behaviour in relation to dog litter.
Volunteers lead by example and wear a Green Dog Walkers Hi-Viz vest with “leave only pawprints” on the back. By wearing the vest, dog owners are showing they have ‘taken the pledge’ to always clean up after their dog, carry extra dog waste bags, be happy to be approached to ‘lend’ a dog waste bag to those without, and be a friendly reminder to other dog walkers to clean up after their dogs.
Dog walkers can take the pledge by signing the Green Dog Walkers form (available http://www.clarecoco.ie/water-waste-environment/education-and-awareness/green-dog-walkers/ ) and returning it to Environment Section, Clare County Council, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare after which they will receive a Green Dog Walker pack in the post.
The Green Dog Walker pack contains a complimentary Green Dog-Walkers High-Vis vest, Green Dog-Walkers ‘doggie bone’ poop-bag dispenser with a roll of bags, information leaflet and dog pledge, where children can get their dogs to put a paw print on a postcard.
The majority of people walking their dogs in public spaces are conscientious about picking up after their dogs, so they can help get the message out to others and lead by example.
Environment Section staff have in recent weeks hosted a pop-up Green Dog Walkers promotional stand at Lahinch Promenade, Kilkee Beach bandstand and at the Corofin dog show resulting in more than 60 volunteers signing up to the scheme. More pop up stands will take place over the coming months.
Environment Section is particularly interested in working with community groups, Tidy Towns committees and volunteers. We would like groups to contact us, to see how they can become involved in promoting the initiative.
Clare County Council has teamed up with the creators of internet animation series Sminky Shorts to launch the Green Dog Walkers. Funded under the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government’s Anti Litter Awareness Grant Scheme, the 80-second animated short highlights the responsibility of dog owners to clean up after their dog and features two cartoon pug dogs humourously conversing at the Cliffs of Moher. It may be viewed on Facebook (ClareCountyCouncil) and Twitter (ClareCoCo).
For more information on how to become involved in the Green Dog Walkers please contact Environment Section on envawareness@clarecoco.ie or phone Edelle on 065 684 6281. The Green Dog Walkers leaflet and pledge form is available on www.clarecoco.ie