Renfrewshire dog owners urged to Take the Lead in mass dog walk

Local dog owners are being encouraged to join a new campaign aimed at promoting responsible dog ownership in Renfrewshire.

The Take the Lead campaign will launch with a mass dog walk on Sunday 14 May 2023 at 1pm in Barshaw Park in Paisley.

Owners will be provided with a new 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.

The new campaign is part of the council’s wider Team Up to Clean Up campaign and launches during the Big Spring Clean 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 4,000 members.

Councillor Michelle Campbell, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board, said: “Dog fouling is always high on the agenda when residents come to me with issues so we’re launching this new campaign to create a team of responsible dog owners across Renfrewshire.

“We need dog owners to take responsibility for their pets, keep them on leads in public places and, most importantly, pick up after them as we want our neighbourhoods to be clean, inviting places for people to live in.

“Join the mass dog walk on 14 May and pick up your new lead, light and poo bag dispenser for free and have the opportunity to meet lots of other dogs and owners – what better way to spend a Sunday!”

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 wardens.es@renfrewshire.gov.uk, join the Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/teamuptocleanup or visit the Council website at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/BigSpringClean.

Photo: Charlie the Cockapoo
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council