SANDBANKS’ golden shore looks likely to be the scene of another battle over dog-free sands.

Poole beach users have renewed an appeal for a dog ban, with 456 signing a petition calling for no canines on a larger section of beach, from the western sand dunes to Shore Road.

Pooch power won the last battle of the sands in 2009 when Borough of Poole consulted on a dog-free zone on a 321-metre stretch in front of the pavilion.

The council received 140 emails, 24 letters and three petitions totalling 1,048 signatures against a ban being imposed on the beach, which has been awarded 23 Blue Flags.

Only 26 emails, nine letters and a petition of 474 signatures in favour were received and the council bowed to public opinion and decided not to go ahead with a year-round ban.

Today the environment overview and scrutiny committee will consider the new petition, which seeks a larger ban than the six per cent considered two years ago.

It calls for it to include all the Blue Flag section up to Shore Road, “particularly so that children can enjoy it safely without being pestered by dogs”.

Strong feelings have been provoked on both sides, however some dog owners do support a ban on a section of the beach, leaving neighbouring sands for them to exercise their pets.

One such Poole resident said: “A year-round ban would allow children to enjoy their own beach without the problem of dogs urinating against their sandcastles or running up to them and knocking them over with the risk of another injured child, as has happened before.

“Then us dog owners would still have the miles of beach all the year round to walk our dogs on.”

He added: “You only have to walk on this beach to see many faeces lying in the sand.”

But one dog walker said: “There are more human litterers on the beach than dogs, winter or summer. I’ve seen people leave used nappies, barbecues and broken bottles.”

Cllr Judy Butt, cabinet portfolio holder for communities, public engagement and participation, who presented the petition to council, said: “It maybe has some merit. With gorgeous Octobers and early spring there is more use on the beach for children to play.”

Dogs are banned from all Poole’s Blue Flag beaches from May to September, however there are two designated beaches which can be used all year round.

From October to April, dogs are allowed on all the beaches.