PEOPLE are being asked how they would feel if dogs were banned from playing fields in a borough.

Hyndburn Council chiefs have launched the consultation on whether they should extend their Public Space Protection Orders which have been in place for three years but run out soon.

Currently, dogs are banned from play areas and bowling greens and have to be kept on leads in town centres and cemeteries.

Three years ago a consultation on banning dogs from playing fields brought an outcry and it was never introduced.

Council bosses are now looking to renew the orders and are again proposing to ban dogs from any designated playing fields to stop fouling.

Parks boss Cllr Gareth Molineux said: "This consultation is to try to make sure the people get what they want going forward.

"Unfortunately we have seen posts on social media saying we are banning dog owners but that is misleading.

"We are just asking for the public's views. In the past a number of calls have come asking us to ban dogs from playing fields but the last time the consultation was done, lots of dog owners did not want that so dogs can go on the playing fields.

"As a council we are spending considerable amounts of money trying to clean the borough up from dog fouling.

"There would be no problem if irresponsible dog owners cleared up after their pets."

Also in the consultation, the council are asking people whether dogs should be allowed in Accrington town centre unless it is 'under control' on a lead.

Cllr Molineux added: "There have been times when people have been hanging around the town centre with their 'status' dogs with them and some people find them intimidating.

"Then there are people who are just going into shops but you cannot take your dog in there so they are leaving them tied up.

"It is hard because they are not then under control (when you are not around)."

Cllr Paul Cox, is responsible for the environmental services, said: "We only take these surveys to gauge opinion of the users of our public open spaces and have decided to do another.

"I am not against people walking their dogs as it is a modern part of life.

"But perhaps when we are talking about sport pitches where people are sliding about then we should be keeping animals off them and there are dangers with animal faeces.

"Last time we did not have a lot of responses so this time we are calling for people to come forward and give their opinion so we can make a decision to represent people."

Check out the consultation on www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/WN6M6FH