Dog owners to be put on a tight leash?

A MAN walks with his dogs off the lead in an Oldham park. Could this soon be outlawed?

DOG owners could soon be forced to keep their pets on leads in all the borough’s parks — in a move to make Oldham cleaner and safer.

Council bosses are planning a consultation exercise to see if Oldhamers want current restrictions on dog fouling and keeping pets on a lead to be tightened.

The crackdown could also see dogs banned from all children’s play areas — current legislation only bans dogs from play areas that are within parks and public places.

Currently, Dogs on Leads Order only applies to cemeteries, crematoria and memorial gardens.

A new Dogs Specified Maximum Order could also be introduced banning owners from taking more than four dogs into certain parks at any one time.

The issue of public safety was highlighted earlier this month when two-year-old Amiee Langdon wiped dog muck on her face after she fell over in a children’s play area in Fallowfield. Mum Suzanne took the tot to casualty when her face started to swell and tests confirmed Amiee had picked up toxacariasis from the faeces which can lead to blindness and even death.

The Chronicle has also received complaints of persistent dog fouling in Greenacres Cemetery as well as dogs being let off the lead despite signs informing visitors that they face an £80 fine if they are caught.

Residents are urged to report anyone they see that fails to clear up their dog’s mess by calling 0161-770 2244.

Councillor Rod Blyth, cabinet member for community safety, said: “Most dog owners are responsible people and follow the common sense rules which prevent their pets from causing problems.

“Unfortunately, however, a small number of inconsiderate owners do not clear up after dog fouling which causes not just annoyance, but also a potentially serious health hazard to the wider community.

“These new dog control proposals could help us to better target and reduce that anti-social behaviour and are designed to reduce incidents and accidents involving dogs, and to protect the public.”

A copy of the proposals and maps identifying the land described in the orders can be viewed at the Rochdale Road reception at the Civic Centre from 8.40am-5pm, Monday to Friday.

The information can also be viewed online at www.oldham.gov.uk/dog_control_order_consultation.

Residents can write to Kathryn Kelly from the environmental health department at Oldham Council, Economy Places and Skills Directorate, Chadderton Town Hall, Chadderton, OL9 6PP or send an email to kathryn.kelly@oldham.gov.uk. Views must be submitted before September 27.