Rugby clubs call for action to end danger of dog mess on fields
SPORTS clubs in Cardiff are calling for measures to protect their fields against antisocial dog walkers amid council plans to ban dogs from sports pitches.
More than 6,500 people have now signed a petition calling on Cardiff council to halt its proposal to ban dogs from marked sports pitches throughout the city.
But two rugby clubs have said they would support measures to help stop dog fouling on their sports fields.
Cardiff council says the proposals would not ban dogs from parks or public green spaces.
Liam Mackay, junior coach at Caerau Ely RFC, says his club deals with dog fouling on its sports pitches at Trelai Park every time they play.
He added: “We regularly stop the game because the referee has found dog fouling on the pitch. Every week we do that.
“I wouldn’t say ‘ban dogs from all green spaces’ because I wouldn’t have anywhere to take my own dogs.
“But I’m definitely in favour of improving the information available and coming together to work out what we could do.”
The proposed public spaces protection order (PSPO) would also ban dogs from enclosed playgrounds and schools throughout Cardiff – which would replace current byelaws. Dogs would also need to be kept on leads in cemeteries maintained by the council. People caught defying the PSPO would face spot fines of £100 – which would be an increase from the £80 fixed penalty notices antisocial dog owners currently face.
If the fines are not paid, the cost to offenders could rise to £1,000 if the matter is taken through the courts.
Cardiff council says it received 500 complaints about dog fouling between April 2016 and April 2017 – although campaigners are contesting that figure.
The council has issued just four fines for dog fouling in the last 12 months, and 142 in five years, a Freedom of Information request has revealed.
Dog owner Jeremy Sparkes, who is campaigning against the plans, said: “Cardiff residents are right to be angry about dog fouling – angry with its council that has issued only four fines in the past year.
“Effective enforcement is the only way to change behaviour of any user or group that treats our open spaces with contempt.
“Responsible dog owners share the concerns of fellow residents about mess and littering, and would like the council to take effective steps to target the irresponsible few.”
Rhys Jones, chairman of Clwb Rugbi which plays on Pontcanna Fields, said the majority of dog owners are responsible – but a balance needs to be struck to help prevent the fouling issues.
He said: “It’s fantastic the council is looking at the problem thoroughly and exploring all avenues to make it better for all park users – not just sports users.
“Games have had to be stopped a few times due to dog fouling. One of the women’s matches was moved to another pitch because of the amount of poo. We clean our pitches before every game but we don’t get rid of everything when we clean it.
“It’s dangerous. People have had infections and lost limbs from dog poo getting into limbs.
“What I wouldn’t like to see is dogs being banned from parks – I’m a dog owner myself. There must be a halfway house where everyone can meet and make the situation better and acceptable for all.”
Toxocariasis, a serious illnesses caused by contact with dog faeces, is “not a factor in reviewing the current rules”, according to the Freedom of Information Request, despite concerns raised about the issue in a cabinet report on the proposed PSPO.
A council spokeswoman said: “The proposals do not include the banning of dogs in parks and public spaces but if progressed, dogs would be excluded from all enclosed playgrounds, marked sports pitches and schools under the new measures. Outside of the relevant playing season, owners would be able to exercise their dog on the playing fields.
“Every year, we receive a significant number of complaints about dog fouling and out of control dogs in public places and while the majority of dog owners are responsible and do the right thing by cleaning up after their dog and keeping them under control, there is a minority who cause significant problems.”