BARRY Island dog walkers have been left furious after environmental enforcement officers began slapping owners with £75 fines for not having their pets on leads.

Last week the Vale of Glamorgan Council announced that 3GS environmental enforcement officers would tackle littering, dog fouling, and graffiti and would have legal powers to stop anyone seen “committing an environmental crime” while patrolling Barry.

But dog owners using Barry Island’s promenade say the officers began handing out fines to anyone without their dog on a lead at the end of last week, adding that they were all unaware any such rule was in place.

Retired police officer, Lynda Lott-Miller, was walking with her dog when she was approached by enforcement officers near Bay 5.

Mrs Lott-Miller, of Barry, said: “My husband and I were just going for a coffee and the dog at my feet. These four people in paramilitary style uniform with video cameras approached. It was quite intimidating.

“I was very surprised. There are no signs on the promenade. He pointed to a sign which was a distance away.

“It’s not legal, surely?"

Mrs Lott-Miller said the confrontation spoiled what should have been a pleasant day out.

Barry Island historical group chairman Mike Heffernan said he was shocked at the new rules.

“For decades people have been allowed to walk their dogs, off the lead, on the Promenade at Barry Island," he said."We now have one rule for the sand and another for the concrete. The whole situation is a joke.”

The Vale council have confirmed that the fines had been handed out incorrectly to four people and that apologies would be issued.

Vale council cabinet member for visible, leisure and regulatory services, cllr Gwyn John said: “The by-laws that govern Barry Island Promenade state that dogs must be walked on a lead between April and September. These restrictions are however loosened during the winter season.

“The council would like to apologise to those people who were incorrectly issued a fixed penalty notice. 3GS have been instructed not to issue any further penalty notices on these grounds. The four notices already handed out will be rescinded.”

A 3GS spokesman said: “We apologise for the misunderstanding and our officers are now fully apprised of the by-laws. The fixed penalty notices have already been withdrawn and each of the recipients will be notified accordingly.”