Dog Watch initiative is nationally recognised
A SUCCESSFUL North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC) campaign designed to educate dog owners on the threats their pets pose to livestock, has received national recognition.
Dog Watch Rural is the latest strand of the council’s environmental protection team’s Dog Watch project, which this year specifically tackled issues faced by the farmers in the district.
The project has now been shortlisted for the Campaign of the Year category at the Keep Britain Tidy Network Awards in Brighton next month.
Led by council officers Jackie Sykes and Ruth Mulvany, the main aim of Dog Watch Rural has been to reduce the heartache and financial distress suffered by farmers that lose unborn livestock due to dog fouling on their land.
Cattle and sheep can abort their young after coming into contact with Neospora – a parasite found in dog faeces – leaving farmers’ livelihoods in danger.
NWLDC has introduced a number of ways to educate dog walkers about the importance of cleaning up dog muck at all times, even in the most rural countryside.
Patrols are being increased in rural areas, trail cameras have been installed and new posters are displayed in popular dog walking areas in an effort to raise awareness and catch the culprits.
It is hoped the scheme will help change the behaviour of dog owners and support farmers in protecting their livestock.
Clare Proudfoot, environmental protection team manager at NWLDC, said: “I’m immensely proud of the team and the work they have done on our Dog Watch scheme. They are making a real difference in our community and the positive feedback we’ve had from farmers this year shows this. Well done Jackie and Ruth.”
Coun Alison Smith, deputy leader and portfolio holder for community services at NWLDC, said: “Congratulations to the team on being shortlisted for this national award. I was out with Jackie and Ruth speaking to farmers earlier this year – and there is no doubt that this is a worthwhile and successful scheme that is worthy of recognition.”
The team will find out if they have won in the Campaign of the Year category when they head to the Keep Britain Tidy Network Awards night in Brighton on Thursday, February 8.