Fines of £100 for antisocial dog owners in the Vale

Dog walkers would face spot fines if they do not pick up after their pets on sports pitches or other public spaces under a public spaces protection order which is currently being considered by Vale of Glamorgan Council.

There would also be seasonal bans of dogs from some beaches under the order, which was approved by Vale council’s cabinet on Monday, June 17.

If the full council approves the order in July there will be a  six-week period to allow for any appeals, after which the proposals would be enforced.

Seasonal bans of dogs would still apply at Whitmore Bay, in Barry Island, Dunraven Bay, and Cwm Colhuw.

But the seasonal bans currently in place at Penarth seafront and the Knap beach would be removed.

Dogs would still be banned from all children’s play areas, ecological conservation areas, and bowling greens in the Vale and they would be required to be on leads all year round on the promenade at Whitmore Bay and Penarth seafront and pier.

A blanket ban of dogs from all sports pitches had been put forward but has since been dropped following opposition from dog owners.

A petition signed by 1,522 people opposed the ban but a consultation answered by 1,763 people found 57 per cent supported the banning of dogs from marked sports pitches.

A survey of the Vale council’s parks staff in 2017 found 93 per cent claimed there was an issue with people not removing dog faeces and 81 per cent claimed this problem was all year round.

“Staff responsible for maintaining the featured parks had expressed their

frustration with irresponsible dog owners and claimed that the problem with dog fouling was under-reported to the council,” a report said.