Dog owners face ban from sports fields

♦ Dog walkers face being banned from exercising their pets on council sports pitches and other open spaces.

The move to protect playgrounds, sports fields and school grounds in Cardiff is part of a wider effort to tackle dog fouling and anti-social behaviour and would cover council owned or maintained open spaces, with on-the-spot fines for offenders increasing from £80 to £100.

However, RSPCA Cymru is “troubled” by the move. Spokesman Paul Smith said: “We’re proud to work closely with Cardiff council and urge them not to forbid dogs from marked sports playing pitches, particularly where adequate space for exercise may not be available nearby.”

The council said it had received 500 complaints over the past year and it is concerned about the safety of children and adults playing sport.

Under the plan, which is out for public consultation, owners would also need to keep dogs on a lead in cemeteries, and failure to pay fines could lead to court action.