'You're not alone' Walkie Dogs community safety boost with new evening dog walks in Leeds
A dog walking group in Leeds has launched a new winter initiative so that people feel safer walking their dogs in the dark.
Walkie Dogs has started hosting evening walks from 5.30pm-7pm every weekday at Western Flatts Cliff Park in Wortley, where owners and their pets can walk as a group.
Dog walkers can join for the whole route or just part of the session if they prefer.
Danny Silk, founder of Walkie Dogs, said: “People might want to do two or three laps, some might want to do half a lap, it’s entirely up to them.
“But we’ll be there with them to just create that safe environment so you’re not alone.”
Walkie Dogs was first formed in July 2024 as Danny wanted to connect his love of fitness as a former personal trainer with his passion for pets.
He himself is the proud owner of three dogs named Circe, Elsa, and Jax.
Walkie Dogs hopes that group walks help people feel more confident walking their dog and gives them the opportunity to build connections with other dog owners.
Danny said: “It feels like we’ve created our own little community.
“Dog walkers are some of the friendliest people in the world and they become friends because you’ve got this one common factor which is the dogs.”
Alongside evening walks on Monday to Friday, Walkie Dogs also hosts a Sunday walk at 1pm which is held in a different part of Leeds each week.
Once an individual signs up to become a Walkie Dogs member, they are free to attend any of the group’s social dog walks.
Danny reported that the walks so far have seen dogs improve their behaviour and feel less nervous around fellow canines.
Meanwhile, owners have been able to build connections with fellow owners through their common bond of their pets.
Danny said: “When people come on the walks, they enjoy it because they’re making friends and they’re socialising.
“It’s a nice feeling and we have funny moments too - you can guarantee that there’s going to be a dog that finds a muddy puddle.”
While the winter walks have initially launched in Western Flatts Cliff Park because local free parking makes the site accessible, Danny hopes to assemble more volunteers so the project can extend across the whole of Leeds.
To become a member of Walkie Dogs, visit their website https://walkiedogs.com/ to sign up.
If you’re 16 and over and interested in becoming a volunteer, contact [email protected] for more information.