Illustration by Cathy Simpson

New dog fouling initiative

Having listened to comments from local residents and visitors over the years, I know that dog fouling is high on the list of ‘Things We Want To Change In Hastings & St Leonards’, writes HOT’s Zelly Restorick.

Earlier this summer, I narrowly escaped a threatening confrontation with someone I’d spoken to about their dog leaving its digestive mark on the beach. I offered the person a plastic bag, which they refused, aggressively suggesting I evacuate the area, post haste, if I knew what was good for me. So I’m aware my own approach to the issue is in need of some refinement.

One local resident I know, who I shall name The Phantom Faeces Chalker of St Leonards, chooses to draw a chalk circle around any offending pile, leaving a polite, pleasant message that maybe next time, the dog owner might be more considerate to other pavement users.

Aware of public feeling, the council recently ran a new initiative to tackle this issue with a new, friendly approach.

The Green Dog Walkers ® Scheme is a ‘non-confrontational way to change attitudes towards dog fouling’. The idea was created and developed by the Community Green Initiative of Dunipace, in partnershp with Falkirk Council and has subsequently spread throughout England, Wales and Scotland.

To be a Green Dog Walker®, you sign the Green Dog Walkers® Pledge, agreeing to always clean up after your dog and dispose of the bag in the bin, carry extra bags for other dog walkers in case they’ve forgotten or run out – and to not aggressively confront other dog walkers about dog fouling. To identify yourself to other dog owners, you wear a badge or add a green sleeve to your dog’s collar or lead.

I contacted local Ranger, Julie Apps to find out more about the scheme. “The Rangers are passionate about ensuring that everyone that visits our parks and gardens has an enjoyable experience”, she explained. “We understand that dog fouling is high on the agenda and that is why the rangers gave this scheme their all throughout the month of August.

“We signed up over 450 volunteers to the scheme! We started early in the morning to catch the early dog walkers and stayed late at night too. We set up marquees, advertised the scheme and put in extra hours and had a brilliant response from members of the public and dog walkers.”

Following the month long pilot, the scheme is currently being evaluated to assess what the next positive steps will be.

If you’re one of the UK’s seven million dog owners and would like to find out more about this initiative, contact the rangers at Hastings Borough Council and sign the Green Dog Walkers® Pledge.

To read The Green Dog Walkers® Pledge and find out more, follow this link.

You can contact the local Rangers via email: rangers@hastings.gov.uk

Also in: Green Times