Six-year-old border collie Stan helps his owner Kate clean up their town (Picture: Wales News Service)

While many humans still don’t understand the concept of putting rubbish in the bin instead of on the floor, one border collie is a step ahead of them all.

Six-year-old Stan is on a mission to help clean up the planet by picking up dropped rubbish on his walks.

Owner Kate Oakes, 48, says Stan sniffs out litter on their country strolls together in order to keep the area tidy.

The pair’s hard work has received an ‘amazing’ response from the community in Brynmawr, South Wales.


Dental hygienist Kate said: ‘Stan needs to be walked a couple of times a day and it is important to keep the area tidy, so now we do both.



‘We generally get an amazing response from people who see us, and they love the fact that Stan helps with the clean up.’

The reaction has been so good that Kate has even started group litter picks to encourage more people to get involved.

She said: ‘I hope people see what me and Stan are doing and get inspired to do a bit themselves.

Stan sniffs out dropped litter on his country strolls (Picture: Wales News Service)

Kate and Stan have received an ‘amazing’ response from the community (Picture: Wales News Service)

Kate says she hopes Stan’s hard work inspires others (Picture: Wales News Service)

‘It really is a beautiful place and its such a shame to see people treating it like this.

‘Everybody is welcome to come along and take part, and I would encourage anyone to help with the group litter picks or even go out on their own if they get chance.

‘It really does make a big difference as we want Brynmawr to be a place we can all be proud of.

‘I started doing this about two-and-a-half years ago when I would take Stan for a walk and see litter everywhere.

‘I work full time but I don’t mind doing this as well.

‘It definitely makes a difference in keeping the town clean and Stan loves to be out of the house as well.’

Councillor Wayne Hodgins, of Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, who also takes part in the rubbish clearing, says Kate and Stan are doing a ‘fantastic job’.

The dog owner has named her area ‘beautiful’ (Picture: Wales News Service)

Blaenau Gwent County Borough Councillor Wayne Hodgins says Kate and Stan are doing a ‘fantastic job’ (Picture: Wales News Service)

He said: ‘As a council we want to support them as much as we can now with resources and collecting points, to ensure they can continue this fantastic job.

‘We also want to educate people to stop throwing litter in the first place as that could have a big impact in reducing the mess long term.’

A spokeswoman from fly-tipping Action Wales group said: ‘This is Fantastic work being carried out by Kate and her wonderful dog Stan in helping the local community to clean up cases of fly-tipping in the Brynmawr area.

‘A case of Kate and her best friend working in perfect harmony and making a real difference. Keep up the great work all.’

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