DOG WALKERS IN SPORTS PITCH PROTEST
A MASS dog walk took place across a number of Cardiff’s green spaces to protest against council plans to ban the animals from marked sports pitches.
The authority is considering a new public spaces protection order (PSPO) after continued complaints about dog fouling, and the move could see dog owners being given spot fines of £100 – a rise of £20 on the current amount – if they offend.
Under the new rules non-payment could see pet owners taken to court, with costs possibly increasing to £1,000.
In addition to the ban from council-owned or maintained marked sports pitches during the relevant playing season the PSPO would also cover enclosed playgrounds and schools throughout Cardiff, while dogs would also need to be kept on leads in cemeteries within the authority’s remit.
But dog lovers – more than 15,00 of whom have signed a petition against the council proposal – say the majority who clean up after their animals are being penalised as a result of a selfish few who do not.
They argue it would be better if current bye-laws regarding dog mess were enforced more rigorously rather than implementing a ban which would prevent them walking their pets in large areas of some city parks such as Roath Recreation Ground, which has pitches along its entire length.
Walk organiser Clare Fanson, a dog owner from Whitchurch, admitted she was taken by surprise at the size of the turnout, with police estimating numbers at between 500 and 600.
“I was expecting a hundred or so people to turn up, maybe 200. Nothing like this though,” she said.
“It just goes to show the strength of feeling there is to this issue all around the city.” The walk began at Llandaff Fields before heading through Pontcanna Fields, Bute Park, across North Road, and then down King Edward VII Avenue to City Hall.
Clare added: “Responsible dog owners want to show the council how many of us are upset at the plans. Large numbers of us feel we are being punished for the few who do not clean up after their dogs.
“We also want to stand up for the old, disabled and vulnerable, for many of whom chatting with other dog walkers can be the only social interaction they get all day.
“All this will do is push those with cars to travel further, which goes against the council’s pledge to reduce carbon emissions.”
A report by Cardiff council in the summer said dog fouling “can lead to serious illness in humans, such as toxocariasis, from direct contact with the faeces on the ground, which can also lead to blindness”.
NHS statistics show there were 25 cases of toxocariasis confirmed in England and Wales from 2006 to 2016.
A council spokesman added: “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.”