Dogs banned from playing fields

Dogs have been banned from using a playing field in a Lincolnshire village after complaints about fouling.

The parish council in Ingham near Lincoln has introduced a dog banning order under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.

The field in the village is now designated as a dog-free zone.

The council said it was safer for children to play in and rejected that the ban was unfair on dog owners.

Complaints received

Parish council clerk John Baker said: "We are doing this to provide a safe environment for children to play in."

Veterinary nurse Louise Buckley said: "If they start banning dogs from areas like this - where do you walk them?

"It is important that dogs get a chance to exercise and run around and play with other dogs."

But Mr Baker said the council had received many complaints about dog-fouling.

"I don't think it is draconian in the least - there are plenty of footpaths in the village," he said.