Dogs banned from sports pitches in Newport

Dogs will be banned from sports pitches and play areas in Newport, South Wales, after plans were signed off by councillors.

The rules are part of Newport City Council’s new Public Spaces Protection Order 2022-2025 which was approved at a meeting this week.

Dogs are banned from sports pitches during their respective seasons:

Football: July 1 to April 30.

Rugby: September 1 to April 30.

Cricket: April 1 to September 30.

A consultation on the new rules found 58% of 335 respondents were in favour of banning dogs from sports pitches.

The new rules also state that all dogs must on be on lead in all council-owned cemeteries, and walkers must remove – and have appropriate means to remove – faeces on all public land.

The rules will be enforced by authorised council officers and police constables, who can also request for dogs to be put on leads if they are not “under proper control”. Failure to comply with the rules is a criminal offence and could lead to an on the spot fine of up to £1,000.