HDWG Reflective armbands

[JayneMcD]

Earlier this year the Green Dog Walkers came to our attention when it was mentioned at Crufts.
The Green Dog Walkers campaign was the idea of a local community group in Falkirk Scotland.
Green Dog Walkers is a non-confrontational, friendly way to change attitudes about dog fouling in the Falkirk Council area. Members wear a GDW armband which signifies that they have "taken the pledge" to always:
• clean up after their dog
• wear the armband when walking their dog
• carry extra dog waste bags
• be happy to be approached to give a dog waste bag to those without
• be a friendly reminder to other dog walkers to clean up after their dogs
On enquiry we discovered that Hilton Dog Walkers Group could become affiliated to Green Dog Walkers but that they charged a £500 fee.

The Hilton Dog Walkers Group Committee decided that we were already half way there, having already set a group up, and that all we needed were the armbands. A search on the Internet found several suppliers and our local County Councillor, Julie Patten, kindly agreed to fund the purchase of the armbands from her community fund.

Despite all our efforts there can be no denying that dog fouling in Hilton is still a problem, a much smaller problem than it was but nevertheless still a problem and although our membership has grown to 118 there are still dog owners in Hilton who have not signed up to the Hilton Dog Walkers Group and “taken the pledge”.

The idea behind the armband is than Hilton Dog Walkers Group members wear the armband when walking their dogs. The wearing of the armband signifies to everyone you see while you are out walking that you always clean up after your dog.

Falkirk Council found that the presence of armband wearers encouraged people who had previously failed to clean up after their dogs to do so. We’d like to have the same effect in Hilton.

In addition to the “peer pressure” that comes from wearing the armband it also identifies dog owners who are not members. We should all encourage those dog owners to “sign the pledge”.

Membership Application Forms and Posting Boxes are in located at the Post Office and Scarsdale’s, Hilton

We have worked hard to supply these armbands. We will be distributing soon. Once you get your armband please wear it every time you walk your dog. We can only achieve success with your assistance. Keeping Hilton clean is our way of ensuring we continue to enjoy walking our dogs off leads in Hilton.

You may also be interested to know that, the group we have set up here in Hilton and with what we have achieved, it has been talked about at several other South Derbyshire villages. The committee has been asked to go and talk to people in other villages about how to set a group up. It would appear we are leading the way in South Derbyshire. Thank you for your continued support and please spread the word about our new initiative

[TheScribbler]

From a child owner, not a dog owner - well done for the efforts to stop this. We're still dodging dog poo on the school run so hope this reduces the incidence of it.

[Colin Clark]

I'm not knocking the initiative but hasn't the world gone just a little mad when you have to wear an armband when walking your dog to publicise that you are responsible.

This doesn't mean by virtue however that all non-armband wearers are therefore irresponsible, they just maybe do not wish to feel that they have to make some public declaration that they pick up after their dog.

Where has Julie Patten found this money, at a time when the country is on its knees shouldn't the supply of armbands be the first to be removed from the list of priorities, I mean I am paying over £12k a year in business rates on top of council tax and find that my hard worked for money is being used for armbands.

I was picking up after my dog over 10 years ago until she died without the need for signing a pledge or wearing an armband. Quite simply the irresponsible will always be irresponsible.

[up there]

WELL SAID!

I Must say I agree with everything you say! I also acknowledge that dog mess left uncollected is a big problem and it makes good dog owners look bad but the thought of wearing an armband to walk your dog beggars belief!
And the nerve of that organisation who started this to want £500 for other groups to join seems to me that the loonies have at last taken over the asylum.

My biggest concern is that should this scheme start in the village and the band wearers start to approach some of the people who walk their dogs, the reaction from some could not only result in verbal aggression but actual violence so you all must think of your own safety before you start doing your bit for the community!!
The village is changing and some of the people,of course not all by a long way who have and are moving here are used to doing whatever they want and to hell with the consequences so again think before you speak!

Colin is right with the country on its knees thanks to the incompetence of the last government we as a nation have very little if any money to spare and this funding is just ridiculous to say the least, although I am sure it has been offered in good faith.

I dont expect my council tax and business rates to be wasted on a dog walking scheme however well intended, after all we have dog wardens that we already pay for so lets get the council to do their job for once and not pay twice for something already paid for in the local taxes!

You know it would probably be far better if we were "ALL" part of the neighbourhood watch scheme with evey house showing they are members or maybe by wearing an armband to show that you are, then all the general crooks and scroates would think twice if they thought that everyone might be watching them while they undertake their seedy crimes,including not picking up dog muck

[peter1910uk]

I think i agree with most things in this thread (about the country being broke that is), but i'm not getting political. We are were we are.

That said should we be spending money on armbands no matter how well intended - no!

I admire the pooper scoopers, its great and good on you for doing it. Colin is dead right though, the good ones will always pick it up, the bad ones will not! I for one remember a day when everyone left it (remember white dog poo??), so what we have now is much better and its not very often you can say that.

[Crossleyans]

Agree with Colin. Unbelievable that with all the other problems in the area - unadopted roads, parking, derelict open space, anti-social behaviour - Julie Patten has either the time or the money to waste on such a scheme!

There are plenty of responsible dog-owners in Hilton who don't need an armband to do what is right. Get a grip, Julie!