NEW dog exclusion areas could be introduced in Blaenau Gwent.

The council wants to ban dogs at the former steelworks site in Ebbw Vale, Mile Field playing field in Georgetown, Tredegar and to amend an existing dog exclusion area at Abertillery Comprehensive School and sports centre due to a new public right of way being introduced.

Residents can give their views from January 8 to February 4 as well as comments on existing areas or other areas the public thinks should be covered by dog control orders.

Notices will be placed at all of the sitesat the beginning of the consultation.

Comments can be sent to Blaenau Gwent Council’s Environmental Health Section, Anvil Court, Church Street, Abertillery, NP131DB or emailed to environmental.health@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk The council currently has the power to issue fixed penalty notices to those who breach three existing dog control orders, which came into force in January 2012.

They include failing to clean up after dogs, walking dogs in any of the county borough's dog exclusion zones and failing to keep dogs on a lead in designated areas.

Owners who fail to pay face court action and a fine of up to £1,000.