Dogs WON’T be banned from Maesydre

Welshpool Town Council considered banning dogs from Maesydre Playing fields, but irresponsible owners are being given last chance to pick up after their pooches.

It’s an issue that is irritating councils up and down the country, but the issues at Maesydre appear to have worsened in recent months, and councillors are calling for action after complaints from sports clubs.

Town Mayor, Cllr Nick Howells, who made an impassioned plea to dog owners through MyWelshpool earlier this year, said clubs were still unhappy, but warned councillors in opening the banning debate at this week’s Welshpool Town Council Services and Property meeting: “My own question on this is how on earth do we police it?

“Powys County Council have given up on dog warden services. I was asked by the sports clubs about six weeks ago if I would make a statement through MyWelshpool and it did seem to make a difference. But it is disgusting people letting dogs foul on the playing pitches. It is still going on.”

But Cllr Howells also reminded councillors that the area was not just for sports, but for wider recreational use, including dog walking.

“We just need to somehow get people to be a bit more considerate towards the sports people and not let their dogs on the playing surfaces,” he said.

“In all fairness to the people of the town, the vast majority are responsible and pick up, but it is just that few who spoil it.

“We have the same problem on Castle Ward up Oldford on Leighton View.”

Cllr Alison Davies, who asked for the total ban to be debated, said: “Some people are just ignoring the signs up there.”

Councillors agreed a total ban on dogs would put unfair pressure on the council outdoors team who would need to enforce it, opening up the possibility of verbal and physical abuse.

Cllr Phil Pritchard called for a by-law to be made that could result in offenders being prosecuted, but Cllr Billy Spencer said that better avenues of communication should be pursued first.

Cllr Estelle Bleivas reminded colleagues that a previous council implemented dog patrols where staff were trained up.

“We paid £200 for three of our workers to go on a course in Birmingham so they could hand out tickets to offenders,” she said. “This has been going on for donkey’s years.”

After lengthy debate, councillors agreed unanimously to Cllr Spencer’s proposal to create “polite” but prominent signage at the three public entrances to the playing fields, along with new bins.

Operations Manager Paul McGrath also wanted it pointing out that there are designated dog walking areas at the County Park (behind The Flash) and at the top of Burgess Lands.