Ashington councillor calls foul over dog dirt on football pitch

Almost 300 residents of Ashington had signed a petition calling for a ban on dog walkers using the town’s Hirst Park playing fields due to the issue.

In May, Northumberland County Council officers said there wasn’t enough evidence to a consider a full ban – but following pressure from councillors, it was agreed they would look at the issue again.

At a meeting of the Ashington and Blyth Local Area Council, officers suggested a further six-month evidence gathering period, which would determine whether new rules to ban dogs would be “necessary and appropriate.”

A report presented to members explained that the council’s capacity to enforce rules on dog fouling and dog control were limited due to a lack of resources.

It comes just days after it was confirmed that just 11 fines for dog fouling were handed out across Northumberland in the last 12 months.

Cllr Kenneth Parry, who represents Hirst ward, was unhappy with a continued lack of action.

He said: “This report says there was no complaints, but there was a petition with over 200 signatures. If that’s not a complaint I don’t know what is.

“There have been 390 bags of muck cleaned up by the football team. I think we have been badly let down by the public protection team.

“We need to provide a safe area for kids to play football.”

Council officers explained that to ban dogs entirely would require the completion of the six-month monitoring period. It was also explained that there was just five dog wardens covering the county.

Officer John Robinson added: “I think since the public space protection order came in six years ago, there has been a general decrease in the number of fixed penalty notices issued for dog fouling.

“A lot of the public know when and if a dog walking officer will be present. A lot of the culprits now do it under the cover of darkness when they know there’s no council officer to catch them. It’s very difficult.

“Most people pick up after their dogs. There is a hardcore of people who don’t do it, but catching them is extremely difficult.”

The recommendations were agreed.