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DOG owners descended on Grove Parish Council armed with hundreds of signatures opposed to a proposed dog ban from two exercise areas.

Almost 150 people and 76 dogs gathered at Grove recreation ground before walking en masse to Old Mill Hall, where they handed over their petition to parish council chairman Frank Parnell at a full council meeting.

The controversial plans to ban dogs from the recreation ground in Cane Lane and Wasbrough Field followed a catalogue of complaints from sports teams using the pitches whose players have ended up covered in dog mess.

The move would address concerns over health risks posed by dog mess but has caused uproar among the dog walking community.

Dean Bateson 25, of Albermarle Drive, helped organise the petition, which he said had almost 400 signatures. He said: "I was very pleased about how it went. There were a lot of people who felt very strongly about it.

"We had people of all ages from young girls right through to pensioners. I was amazed at the number of people who came with their dogs. I expected about 50 or 60. I think the council were shocked at how many people were there.

"I hope it's going to make the council realise that there are lots of responsible dog walkers who want to work with them, but if they are going to propose an outright ban then we will oppose it.

"There are eight sports pitches, including two which are just being built in Grove. For dog walkers to have one to walk their dogs off the leads is not unreasonable."

Clerk to the council Graham Mundy confirmed the petition had been received. He said: "The weight of the petition will be considered when it's discussed in the future. The overwhelming support not to ban dogs has been recognised."

A working group consisting of dog walking representatives, members of sports clubs and parish councillors met for the first time last week to begin discussions on reaching a workable compromise.

4:40pm Friday 27th June 2008

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