A DOGS charity is making strides to help left handed dog walkers in accordance with EU law.

Dogs Trust, which has a rehoming centre in Wickhamford, near Evesham, has launched a pioneering initiative aimed exclusively at left handed dog owners.

In accordance with The European Commission’s equality directive, detailing equal opportunities for left handed citizens, the charity must meet their quota of dogs available to left handed dog walkers.

Now the Evesham centre along with the 17 others across the UK must ensure 11 percent of all dogs available for rehoming are expertly trained to fit the requirements of left handed dog walkers.

The initiative has been gradually phased since the beginning of the year and more 300 dogs have already found loving homes with left handed owners as a direct result of the scheme.

The charity has even experienced an 82 percent increase in left handed volunteers since January.

April Fuller, volunteer dog walker at the Wickhamford centre, said: “I explained my predicament as a left handed dog walker to staff when I volunteered the centre and was delighted when they introduced me to dogs specially trained for this purpose.

“I am so grateful to Dogs Trust for going the extra mile by training dogs to respond to left handed dog owners as it makes walks so much more enjoyable for me.

"I wasn't even aware of the equality directive until I visited Dogs Trust but it really makes sense, why should left handed walkers be penalised by walking their dogs on the right, imagine if Jimmy Hendrix had been forced to play the guitar with his right hand.”

Dogs Trust is the UK’s largest dog welfare charity and cares for over 16,000 stray and abandoned dogs each year.

For more information contact the centre at Pitchers Hill, Wickhamford, near Evesham, on 01386 830613.