Local dog owners are being encouraged to join a mass dog walk as part of a campaign to promote responsible dog ownership in Renfrewshire.
The Take the Lead campaign will return on Saturday, September 23, starting at 10am, in Robertson Park, Renfrew, with dogs and owners of all shapes and sizes welcome to take part in the leisurely walk around the park.
St Mirren Dog Training will be there to give a demonstration of top training techniques and owners can pick up a branded lead, a light for night-time walks, and a poo bag dispenser to allow them to be ambassadors for the campaign and encourage behaviour change across Renfrewshire.
Also in the park on the day is a Dog Companion Show led by a Crufts judge, with five pedigree classes, including a puppy class, non-sporting and sporting, and six fun classes, including best mover, best condition and most handsome dog, giving people the chance to see if their dog is best in class.
Denise Symon, owner of St Mirren Dog Training, said: “We have been promoting responsible dog ownership through training courses in Renfrewshire for over 30 years and it goes without saying that cleaning up after your dog is part of that.
“We are happy to support the council in any way we can to encourage owners to clean up after their pets so please come along, take part and meet other dog owners.”
The campaign is part of Renfrewshire Council's wider Team Up to Clean Up campaign and takes place during Spotless September, which brings thousands of volunteers together to take part in litter picks across Renfrewshire.
Volunteers can get in touch with the council to be provided with equipment and the council will clear the bags away afterwards from an agreed location, and volunteers can invite other like-minded people to join them on a litter pick through the campaign’s Facebook group which has more than 4,800 members.
Councillor Michelle Campbell, convener of Renfrewshire Council's infrastructure, land and environment policy board, said: "I'm delighted to see Take the Lead return as part of Spotless September after such a successful event previously.
"We all want our streets to be free of dog fouling and this campaign aims to encourage all dog owners to be responsible and pick up after their pets.
"We know the majority do, but we need to change the behaviour of those who don’t and having other dog owners promoting the campaign and leading by example is a great step in making real change.
"Add in the dog training sessions and the Dog Companion Show also taking place in the park that day and it’s shaping up to be a fantastic way to spend your Saturday, so please head along and be part of Take the Lead."
Dog owners can sign the Responsible Dog Owners pledge at the mass dog walk and agree to be ambassadors for the campaign and encourage others to take responsibility for their dogs.
To request equipment, call 0300 300 1375, email litterpicks@renfrewshire.gov.uk, join the Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/teamuptocleanup or visit the council website at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/teamuptocleanup.
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