Published on 11th April 2013

close up of a dog's face, side on

Cheltenham Borough Council’s community protection team will be in our parks next week providing advice and information to dog owners, as well as free micro-chipping for dogs

They have already held a number of information days in the parks across the borough and next week they will be in Montpellier Gardens on Monday (15 April) and Winston Churchill Memorial Garden on Tuesday (16 April).

The team will be providing advice to dog owners and will be offering free micro-chipping as well as patrolling the parks to ensure the area is clear from any dog fouling. The team will be based at a gazebo and will be handing out advisory leaflets and will be there to discuss any issues park users may have.

Brian Daughtrey, community protection officer, said: “We want to seek the co-operation of dog owners to prevent fouling of public areas. Dog fouling is an issue across the borough and the best way to stop this is to have a presence in our parks so we can remind dog owners to clean up after their dogs.

“We also want to encourage responsible dog ownership and so will be offering free micro-chipping on these days. Micro-chipping is a perfectly safe way to make sure that a pet is identifiable and provides piece of mind for pet owners.”

Councillor Peter Jeffries, cabinet member for housing, safety and communities, added: “Our parks and open spaces are enjoyed by many residents and visitors to our town. It’s important we keep them a safe and clean place for all users to enjoy so it’s great to see our community protection team in the gardens, providing advice and encouraging responsible dog ownership.”

The community protection team will be in the gardens from 7:30am until 5pm on each day.

For press enquiries contact: Laura Carter, communications officer, telephone 01242 264154 or email [email protected]

Notes:
Photo opportunities can be arranged.

The team have already held these days in Priors Farm park, Queen Elizabeth II and Beeches Playing Fields.
A microchip is a cost effective, harmless and permanent form of identification which is inserted between the pet’s shoulder blades. The chip is a small capsule which carries a unique identification number, linking to a national database, accessible 24 hours a day.  If ownership of the pet changes, details on the chip can easily be updated. The chips have no power source and can be scanned by local authority dog wardens, vets and animal welfare groups all over the country.