MOST dog owners realise it is wrong for their pets to poo in children’s play areas counillors have been told.
Senior councillors agreed four more children’s play areas should be covered by an order banning dogs.
Anyone ignoring the orders, first brought in across Torfaen in 2018, could be hit with a £100 on-the-spot fine while a failure to pay could lead to a prosecution and a potential fine of up to £1,000 if convicted.
Torfaen Borough Council’s environmental protection manager John Clements told its cabinet it isn’t anticipated the orders will generate additional work.
He said: “The expecation is it will be self regulating. Most people are aware it is not appropriate to allow dogs to foul in children’s play areas.”
The council’s Labour leader Anthony Hunt said there had been a positive reaction to press reports about the recommendation it extend the existign orders to three play areas in Cwmbran, and another at Abersychan.
The Panteg member and council leader said: “I’ve seen the coverage in advance and it’s been largely positive and welcomed.”
He added: “We thank responsible dog owners who pick up responsibly and the majority do recognise the dangers dog poo can cause to young people especially and it’s not just play areas but sports grounds.”
‘Yellow stencils’
The councillor also said residents have supported the council’s campaign to highlight dog fouling by outlining “yellow stencils” on pavements “across the borough pointing out where we have a problem.”
The four play areas that are now included in the public spaces protection orders, which were last reviewed in 2024, are Llantarnam, Thornhill Multi-Games Area in Upper Cwmbran and Blenheim Road Children’s Play Area in Fairwater as well as the Cwmavon village children’s play area in Abersychan.
Cllr Hunt also said the council has received a share of a £5 million Welsh Government fund to refurbish play areas and said: “We’ll use that to try and update as many as possible.”
The cabinet has also agreed a further report will be brought to it to consider more enforcement measures.