Soccer team cries foul over dogs

The council wants to ban dogs from the football pitch

Council chiefs in Powys want to impose a new by-law to stop dogs fouling on a children's football pitch.

Ron Leach, manager of an under 10s team in Knighton, has written to the town council complaining about the "unacceptable level" of dog mess.

He said cars were also performing handbrake turns on the pitch which was churning up the turf.

The town council is investigating whether it has the power to introduce the by-law.

Knighton councillor and former town mayor Roger Bright said the town football pitches were owned by Powys Council.

"We have asked the town clerk to investigate whether we are able to introduce such a by-law," Mr Bright said.

"We will also be asking the county council whether they can extend a fence a prevent cars from getting onto the pitch.

"There's a public footpath running alongside the children's football pitch and it appears as though dogs are being allowed off the lead to roam the pitch.

"But dog fouling on a children's football pitch, on any sports field used by people, is simply unacceptable and I understand Mr Leach's concern."

Powys Council said it had signs warning dog owners of the consequences of allowing their animals to defecate in public places, and investigated complaints of fouling.