Split over pitch ban for
PEOPLE in Cardiff were split about council plans to ban dogs from sports pitches which were opposed by dog walking groups, a survey suggests.
Seven in 10 dog owners objected to council proposals to ban dogs from marked sports pitches, but many non dog owners agreed, according to results from a consultation.
Cardiff council received 6,002 responses to a consultation about a proposed public space protection order – while a survey was filled out by 3,609 dog walkers and 2,356 non dog walkers.
While people generally agreed with most of the proposed measures put forward, 68.4% of dog owners disagreed with the proposed exclusion of dogs “from playgrounds, schools and marked sports pitches”.
But 70.8% of non dog owners supported the proposed ban – so overall 43.7% of all those who responded supported the proposal, while 51.2% were against.
Cardiff council has since ruled out a blanket ban of dogs from marked sports pitches, after a petition against the proposal was signed by 16,000 people and hundreds marched on City Hall to oppose it.
The council is reviewing the consultation and will put forward its plans to deal with anti-social dog walkers in the new year.
Councillors behind the proposals were quizzed at a joint scrutiny committee meeting at Cardiff council.
Councillor Peter Bradbury, cabinet member for culture and leisure, told the meeting: “There was clearly a consensus that whilst there was support for many measures being put forward on one measure there was not. None of these were set in stone – it was a genuine consultation.
“We have effectively ruled out a blanket ban on marked sports pitches. You can’t go ahead with something without the support of the wider community.”
Cllr Bradbury said the consultation was worthwhile, despite the opposition. He said the proposals were never meant to be “anti-dog” and the majority of dog owners were responsible.
“It has proved to be a worthwhile exercise because of the quality of the responses we got from people,” he said.
Cllr Michael Michael, cabinet member for clean streets, recycling and environment, said it was a “genuine consultation”.
He said: “It’s not anti-dog. It was never meant to be anti-dog. It’s anti dog fouling by irresponsible dog owners and what the council can do about it.”
Proposals to ban dog fouling in public areas were supported by 71.2% of all who responded, while a proposed requirement that dogs are kept on leads in cemeteries was supported by 75.1% of all respondents.
A further seven in 10 – 68.8% – of all responded also agreed to plans to allow authorised officers to tell dog owners to keep their dogs on a lead where necessary.
But many dog owners in Cardiff felt the consultation punished responsible owners in an effort to target the irresponsible minority who do not clean up after their pets.
Cllr Owen Jones said he has had some reports of people being aggressive toward dog owners while walking through Cardiff’s parks.
Cllr Bradbury said: “I have heard reports similar to yours in terms of people being aggressively told to get off sports pitches. I condemn that. That was not my intention when we did this consultation.”
Councillors also discussed the health risks of dog fouling on parks.
When the PSPO was first proposed, a council report warned of the risks of toxocariasis – which can cause serious illnesses in humans.
Cllr Michael said: “I know someone who’s actually lost a leg during a rugby game by sliding into the mess. I’ve seen the results of what can happen, and thank God it’s not something that happens every day.”
Councillor Jacqueline Parry added: “A nephew of mine he caught toxocariasis and he almost lost his eye. So yes it does happen and it’s quite common. He didn’t lose his eye thank goodness and he’s still partially sighted.”
NHS figures show there have been 25 cases of toxocariasis confirmed in England and Wales from 2006 and 2016.
Cllr Bradbury said it would be “a