DON’T ban or restrict our dogs from using Corfe Mullen recreation ground.

That’s the message dog owners took to the parish council, and will be repeating to East Dorset District Council.

Around 150 dog owners had their own meeting on the subject last week and around 26 then turned up at the parish council meeting on Tuesday.

Council chairman Anne Holland said one dog-owning representative had spoken on behalf of the group, to put various points across.

But, as the item was not on their agenda, no decision was made on the matter.

“They felt they have historically always walked their dogs on the recreation ground,” she said.

“The whole point of this consultation is to gauge everyone’s views, to find out the problems.”

Cllr Holland said she understood that some dog walkers felt concerned as there were restrictions now about dogs on beaches, and dogs were not encouraged on heathland.

But she said 200 youngsters also used the area for sport.

The district council is currently running a consultation until October 7, proposing dog exclusion zones in all enclosed children’s play areas, all marked sports pitches and parts of school playing fields across the district.

They are also proposing that dogs will have to be kept on leads on parts of Corfe Mullen rec and other leisure areas, and proposing new rules so the council can take action against owners that do not clear up after their dog on open land.

An East Dorset District Council spokesman said they have already had a large number of responses but welcome more feedback.

In order to assist this the deadline for feedback was extended from September 30 to October 7.

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