Dog walking group formed after campaign meet

LOCAL dog owners are setting up a walking group, following a successful group walk last month to raise awareness of dog thefts.

The ‘Murphy’s Army’ dog walks, set up in aid of a Siberian husky stolen in West Yorkshire last year, took place in 42 locations across the country, and Frome celebrated being the third best attended.

Dog lover Paula Strudley said, “We had a great turnout for the walk, which was set up to raise awareness of how important dog chipping is due to the huge rise in dog crime.

“We had an attempted theft recently in Frome where a dog was taken in Willow Vale. Luckily other people were around and the dog was returned to its owner, but dogs are being stolen for baiting, to be sold on, and even for animal testing.

“We want to encourage people to stop tying their dogs up outside shops, as this makes them targets for thieves. A dog walking group is also being set up in Frome as people are worried to walk their dogs alone.”

For more information about the dog walking group contact Paula on paulasusan@btinternet.com.