Millie the dog wows shoppers by putting litter in the bin

Millie the dog wows high street shoppers by putting street litter in the bin
Millie has been impressing shoppers in Hereford with her litter-picking party trick (Picture: SWNS)

A clever little dog has been amazing shoppers on a high street by picking up litter and putting it in the bin.

Millie doesn’t paws when she sees rubbish in Hereford — she’s straight off to pick it up. Owner Alfie Kitson, 80, only has to point at something on the ground and say ‘put that in the bin’ and the Spanish podenco obliges. She was taught the trick while living in Spain with Alfie and his wife Judith, 75, and has been putting her skills to good use since moving back to the UK 18 months ago.

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Grandad Alfie, a retired plumber from Ullingswick, Herefordshire, said: ‘Millie is a very intelligent dog and seems to enjoy her little party trick. ‘A few people ask me why I do it but I enjoy it and so does Millie, plus it’s helping keep the city clean and tidy, which is our little good deed.

‘All I have to say is, “Put that litter in the bin” and she will pick it up and do it. Passers-by seem to love it and she always gets a little round of applause.

‘She makes a real fuss of it and seems to love the limelight — it’s incredible to see all these people enjoy what we’re doing.

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‘She plays up to the audience, and so do I, if I’m honest.’

Alfie taught five-year-old Millie the trick after rescuing her from a shelter in Spain and says all he wants is to put a smile on someone’s face with the trick.

She was just a puppy when she was found abandoned in a rubbish bag tied to a tree branch with her two brothers.

Alfie Kitson and his litter picking dog Millie in Hereford. See SWNS story SWMDlitter. December 17, 2021. These remarkable pictures show a precious pooch helping keep the streets of Hereford spotless, by cleaning up after lazy locals. Alfie Kitson, 80, and five-year-old Millie have been picking up litter for the last few years after spotting a soldier and his dog do the same trick in a park in Spain. Millie, a type of Spanish Podenco dog, was rescued in Spain when owner Alfie and his wife Judith lived there. Since moving back to the UK, Millie has been able to put her skills to use on the streets of Hereford. Alfie, an ex-plumber from Herefordshire, said: ???A few people say why do you do it, I enjoy it and the dog enjoys it. ???All I have to say ???is put that litter in the bin??? and she will pick it up and do it.???
The bins are just the right size for Millie to reach (Picture: Anita Maric / SWNS)
Alfie later spotted a soldier and his dog doing the trick in a park in Malaga and set about teaching Millie to do the same. He began by putting a box in their Spanish garden and bit by bit he raised its height as she understood to drop things in it.

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And luckily the bins in Hereford were just the right size for Millie to showcase her talent when she moved here – and now she’s been helping out for a month.

Office worker Samuel Tiler, 45, regularly sees Millie tidying up the city centre.
Alfie Kitson and his litter picking dog Millie in Hereford. See SWNS story SWMDlitter. December 17, 2021. These remarkable pictures show a precious pooch helping keep the streets of Hereford spotless, by cleaning up after lazy locals. Alfie Kitson, 80, and five-year-old Millie have been picking up litter for the last few years after spotting a soldier and his dog do the same trick in a park in Spain. Millie, a type of Spanish Podenco dog, was rescued in Spain when owner Alfie and his wife Judith lived there. Since moving back to the UK, Millie has been able to put her skills to use on the streets of Hereford. Alfie, an ex-plumber from Herefordshire, said: ???A few people say why do you do it, I enjoy it and the dog enjoys it. ???All I have to say ???is put that litter in the bin??? and she will pick it up and do it.???
Owner Alfie Kitson says Millie ‘loves the limelight’ (Picture: Anita Maric / SWNS)

He said: ‘The first time I saw her do it, I thought I might be going mad.

‘I thought, “Is that really a dog tidying up people’s litter?”

‘It really is remarkable what she can do.

‘I just wish people could be more thoughtful as it shouldn’t take a dog to clear up after them.’

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