CARDIGAN Town Council’s planned new ‘get tough’ policy on dog owners whose pets foul green areas has already suffered a setback, it has emerged.

Councillors have been told that a by-law banning dogs from places such as the King George V playing field, Victoria Gardens and Netpool could be introduced only if there were resources to enforce it.

Councillors have now instructed town clerk Eleri Maskell to ask Cardigan police whether they would support such a move.

Angered by the ‘worsening’ issue members had agreed to seek a by-law at their December meeting following continuing reports of fouling, particularly on the town’s playing field.

“If this problem persists there will no longer be any football and rugby matches played on the King George V,” Cllr John Adams-Lewis told colleagues.

“I am equally concerned at the risk posed by dog fouling to little children – all because some people let their dogs foul on the pitch.

“We have got to do something so I would suggest writing to Ceredigion County Council with the aim of bringing in a by-law.”

However, some of his colleagues warned that a designated ‘dog park’ would have to be created before such a scheme could begin.

And Cllr Stephen Greenhalgh admitted he was ‘uncomfortable’ at the prospect of punishing the majority of dog owners due to the actions of a minority.

But having contacted Ceredigion County Council’s trading standards and licensing manager, Mrs Maskell disclosed the prospect of introducing such a by-law had already hit a snag.

“If we put it in place we would need to police it somehow,” she said. “Shall I ask the police if they will support this possibly through extra patrols?”

It was agreed that she should seek clarification from Cardigan Police Station.