A scheme set up to encourage Milton Keynes dog walkers to be the eyes and ears of the community and help reduce crime has more than 1,000 members.

Milton Keynes Dog Watch is a registered charity set up to encourage dog walkers to keep a closer eye on the community as they exercise their pets.  A partnership between SaferMK, Neighbourood Watch, The Parks Trust, Milton Keynes Council, local enforcement officers and wardens, and Thames Valley Police, the scheme promotes dog walkers as a visible deterrent to crime.

Helen Sharratt, Watch Liaison Officer for Milton Keynes and Rural,said: “As a member of Dog Watch you will be out walking your dogs at various times of the day covering large areas of Milton Keynes and this can have an impact o reducing crime. Most criminals will not break into cars or houses is somebody is walking by. The information dog walkers feed back to us will assist in preventing crime, anti-social behavior, and assist in identifying offenders ad cleaning up areas.”

The scheme also promotes responsible dog ownership. Take, for example, the case of four-year-old Duke, a rescue dog from Wales who started out life as a working dog. He has been attacked twice by other dogs since moving to Milton Keynes, one at a local lake and another at a local park.

Helen added:  “On both occasions the other dog wasn’t on the lead and the owner was unable to get their dog under control to prevent the attack. Fortunately on both occasions the dog had not left any puncture wounds and the vet gave Duke  clear bill of health. But both of these attacks could have been avoided if the dogs had responsible owners.”

Dog owners signing up to the scheme are asked to follow the Dog Watch Code of Practice, which encourages responsible dog ownership, including controlling your pet, cleaning up after them and not littering.

Members carrying the MK Dog Watch card are also entitled to discounts on a range of products, including dog food stores, training classes, microchipping and more.