DOGS could be banned from council-owned sports pitches in Caerphilly County Borough due to issues with dog fouling.

The ban will go ahead if approved by Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet.

Responding to a council consultation into the issue, sports clubs highlighted how often games are delayed or halted due to dog foul on the pitch.

Overall 1,540 respondents completed the questionnaire – 53.5% of which voted to ban dogs from council-owned sports pitches in the borough.

Some of the reasons given for supporting the proposals were to ensure a safe and clean environment for children and adults to exercise, and to further encourage responsible dog ownership.

The matter was discussed by councillors during an Environment and Scrutiny Committee meeting on Tuesday, October 26.

Plaid Cymru councillor Colin Elsbury, who represents the St Martin’s ward, said: “As someone who has to deal with dog fouling when playing cricket, it is not nice.”

Labour councillor Mark Evans, who represents New Tredegar, said a year-round blanket ban would make it easier for the public to follow, as opposed to bans dependant on the sport season.

However, The RSPCA has criticised the proposed ban, saying it restricts the areas where dogs can be exercised, particularly for people who cannot travel distances to exercise their dogs.

The RSPCA also said the ban punishes responsible dog owners.

The potential ban is part of the council’s existing Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO). If approved by cabinet, the exclusion of dogs from sport pitches will be added to it.

The existing PSPO includes the following restrictions:

  • Dogs are excluded from all enclosed children’s play and multi-use games areas.
  • Dogs are required to be kept on leads in enclosed memorial gardens.
  • Dog owners are required to remove dog faeces in public places.
  • Dog owners are required to carry an appropriate receptacle for dealing with the waste that their dogs produce – that is to always have the means to pick up their dog faeces.
  • Dog owners are required to put their dogs on a lead when directed to do so by an authorised officer on any public land where the dog is considered to be out of control or causing harm or distress to prevent a nuisance.

New signage to enforce the rule in designated areas will cost £2,000. This will be funded from the council’s existing environmental health budgets.

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