FLOODED ground in Newport could be hazardous for dogs and their owners, a Labour councillor has warned.

Councillor Chris Evans gave the warning after spotting saturated land at the Welfare Grounds football field, Rogerstone, on Boxing Day.

Cllr Evans said there had been a sign indicating that the ground, owned by Rogerstone Community Council, was closed for safety reasons, but that people continued to walk their dogs there and encouraged their dogs to swim in the water.

The groundsman even spotted a man wearing thigh-high wading boots allowing his daughter to swim in the water, said Cllr Evans, member for Rogerstone.

“I think common sense dictates that it is best to avoid the water because you just don’t know what will happen,” he said.

“We are monitoring the situation and going down there regularly.”