People have slammed irresponsible dog owners after plans to ban the animals from more than 70 sports pitches and playgrounds across Liverpool were announced.
Following a month-long consultation in the summer, Liverpool Council has been recommended to implement a three-year ban on dogs being taken on dozens of pitches and playgrounds in a bid to curb issues around fouling. Further measures that could be introduced include the need to keep dogs on leads at all times in 10 specific areas, including cemeteries.
Failure to do so could lead to an on the spot fine. The plans will be considered by the local authority’s highways and public spaces representations committee on Tuesday.
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The move has attracted a lot of reaction from people across the city, who took to social media to offer their take. One person wrote: “My dog loves a run in Newsham Park, one of the now banned areas. I never take her near the children's playground, and I always pick up after her.
“Shame the lazy irresponsible owners have now ruined it for my dog.”
Another person said: “I thought that legally (and sensibly of course) owners had to have full control of their dog in public. The only way you can do that surely, is to have it on a lead.” In July, the council launched a consultation on its plans to implement a public spaces protection order (PSPO) which includes legislation relating to dog fouling, placing dogs on a lead where directed, dogs on leads at all times in a designated area and the exclusion of dogs altogether in certain areas.
A total of 71 responses were received, with almost three quarters of those replying in support. One online commenter questioned provision for dogs.
They said: “Why can't there be more secure, dog friendly areas? Like dedicated dog parks or enclosed areas of the parks where they can be off their leads?”
Another said: “Sadly this is now a requirement to keep dogs on leads, as lazy, irresponsible owners don’t pick up their own dogs mess. Some of these areas are absolutely disgusting.
“Although I don’t know how they’re actually going to monitor all this??” One person online questioned both the council and the public’s role in cleaning up our green spaces.
They said: “As usual, the issue is tackled from the wrong direction which adversely affects decent, law-abiding people. I walk my dog and pick up his mess.
“So while other members of the public face the issue of dodging mess that isn't removed, I also have to put up with that, together with picking up after my dog (which isn't pleasant), the frequent abuse from people who will accuse any dog walker of leaving a mess, and now a restriction as to where I may visit. All for the lack of policing existing laws.
“That said, actions the council took in previous years by getting enforcement officers drew endless criticism, so I'm fascinated how they'll enforce this.”
Earlier this year, Liverpool Council, which spends £9.5m a year cleaning up litter, embarked on a 12-month environmental action programme, with a specific focus on litter in parks, dog fouling, fly tipping and commercial waste.
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