Dogs facing ban from parks and recreation grounds | This is Bristol

DOGS could be completely banned from some parks and recreation grounds across North Somerset as part of new control orders being proposed by the authority.

Council chiefs have launched a consultation on a series of new dog control orders which will see pets banned completely from some areas.

1. Dogs are facing ban from North Somerset parks and recreation grounds

Areas where the council plans to introduce the ban include The Ponds at the Village Quarter, Portbury, Brampton Way play area, Portishead and Tickenham village field next to the village hall.

Dogs could also be banned from Banwell Recreation Ground at Westfield Road, Banwell Scout and adjacent land off West Street in Banwell and Winscombe Rugby Football Club at The Lynch, Winscombe.

The ban, if agreed, could also come into force at Christchurch churchyard, Redhill and Vee Lane in Felton.

The move to ban animals on the sites follows increasing complaints about people failing to clean up after their dogs.

The council is planning to introduce orders stating dogs must be kept on leads in a further 15 other areas across the district.

These include Portishead Marina, King George IV playing fields in Cleeve and along the promenade at Weston-super-Mare and Clevedon.

Pets will also have to be kept on a leash at sports and recreation grounds in Nailsea including Greenfield Crescent playing field, Engine Lane Rugby Football Ground, Grove Playing Field and Fryth Way playing field in Nailsea.

Nailsea Town Council clerk Ian Morrell said: "All these grounds are used by sports clubs and it is regularly the case they have to be cleared of dogs mess before games can start.

"Ideally if all dog owners were responsible and cleared up after their dogs, orders like this would not be necessary, but sadly this isn't the case."

Dog mess has long been a problem at Portishead Marina, with some people who walk their dogs failing to clear up after them. In the past councillors have asked for a covert camera to be installed along the waterside to catch pet owners in the act.

Local residents resorted to putting up posters in the marina development urging people to clean up after their pets. A consultation on the new orders is to start on Friday and last until the end of June.

People can leave their comments at the council website at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/dogcontrol orders2012.

Council spokesman, Nick Yates, said: "The consultation is likely to generate interest from the public, mainly from dog walkers."

People can be fined ?75 if they are caught failing to clean up after their pets.

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