The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
Clare County Council has teamed up with the creators of internet animation series Sminky Shorts to launch a new environmental initiative which aims to change dog owner behaviour in relation to dog litter.
Funded under the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government’s Anti Litter Awareness Grant Scheme, the 80-second animated short highlights the responsibility of dog owners to clean up after their dog and features two cartoon pug dogs humourously conversing at the Cliffs of Moher.
“The Sminky Shorts clip is a promotional tool and fun way to bring attention to the need for dog owners to take responsibility for their animals litter” explained Karen Foley, Environmental Awareness Officer with Clare County Council.
“The clip will be used on Facebook and Twitter as a means of helping promote awareness of our Green Dog Walkers scheme and will also be included in part of our primary schools litter awareness programme,” she added
Green Dog Walkers is a new scheme which encourages dog owners to clean up after their animals and raises awareness of the potential negative impact of dog waste on the environment and public health.
Dog walkers can take the pledge by signing the Green Dog Walkers form (available on www.clarecoco.ie) and returning it to Environment Section, Clare County Council, New Road, Ennis after which they will receive a Green Dog Walker pack in the post.
The council is also providing bags to dog walkers via ‘Mutt Mitt’ dispensers in popular public areas.
