Dog owners warned over new rules

One of the ideas is for ‘dog exclusion areas’ which could apply to children’s play areas and the grounds of council-maintained schools.

The Dog Control Orders would allow fixed penalty fines to be issued. Owners could be fined for failing to clear dog fouling. Dogs would have to be kept on leads on roads and designated areas such as playing fields, allotments and council cemeteries.

There would be powers to request dogs be kept on a lead within five main parks, Wilton, Ravensknowle. Greenhead, Crow Nest and Beaumont Parks.

The proposals will go out to consultation after going to councillors on January 31.

Between 2009-11 over 4,200 complaints were made to the council about dog fouling, along with almost 2,000 about dangerous dogs.

Coun David Sheard said: “We believe it is time for stronger action and the Dog Control Orders would allow us to enforce the rules more effectively.”