Hundreds call for dog ban at kids’ play areas

HUNDREDS of residents say dogs should be banned from children’s play areas and sports pitches.

Town hall chiefs in Wigan want tougher powers to crack down on dog mess, which costs £150,000 a year to clean up.

Public space protection orders (PSPOs) could soon cover dog fouling hotspots, with irresponsible owners showing a ‘total lack of respect’ for the rules facing fines of £100.

If approved, the PSPO could see an outright ban on dogs in children’s play areas at public parks.

Owners would also be required to keep their pets on leads in defined areas. Churches and cemeteries could also be covered.

The plans were put out to consultation and so far 469 members of the public – mostly non-dog owners – have responded.

A report to the council’s confident places scrutiny committee shows that 384 people support excluding dogs from play areas and pitches.

One person said: “It’s dangerous to allow dogs to foul in these places, it’s a hazard to health.”

PSPOs are proposed around play areas in the following public parks: Haigh Hall, Pennington Flash, Mesnes Park, Jubilee Park, Central Park/Morley St Park, Leyland Park, Abram Park, Pennington Hall Park, Ashfield Park, Shevington Park, Astley St Park, Alexandra Park, Firs Park and Westleigh Park.

But some felt that responsible dog owners were being targeted and that some families with pets would want to take their dog into parks.

Almost all respondents felt that all dog walkers should carry poo bags and that dog fouling enforcement should cover all public land.

Other proposals that were backed include keeping dogs on leads in churchyards and cemeteries and if found to be out of control on public land.

A response to the survey said: “I think dogs need to be on leads at all times. I have had two dogs, one was attacked and killed by a bullmastiff. The owner was nowhere in sight. This was a very traumatic experience and put me off having a dog for a long time.”

The confident places scrutiny committee will consider the findings on November 13.