Caerphilly County Borough Council are proposing banning dogs from all council owned marked sports/playing pitches. I don't believe this is fair to responsible dog owners.I'm sure many people agree with me. We need to be heard!

I also don't believe it will stop the problem as those who already don't do the decent thing of picking up their dog's faeces, are unlikely to stop using the fields.

Everyone (dog owners included) know that there is a problem. A blanket ban however is not the solution. Cardiff County Borough Council tried to do the same thing last year. They re-considered after public outcry - 16,000 people signed an online petition.

Cardiff County Borough Council have worked with sports clubs and dog owners to find different solutions - Caerphilly County Borough Council needs to do the same.

Caerphilly County Borough Council, as of 2017, has a population of 181,000. We can do better than 16,000. Please sign and share this petition.

Also, have your say! Caerphilly County Borough Council have a short and simple survey you can complete via their website.

https://wh1.snapsurveys.com/s.asp?k=162210627492

If you don't agree you must say!

People will argue that dogs don't have to be walked in these fields. I think people forget that these filelds did not start off as sports fields. They were community fields which sports clubs have been given the opportunity to use. They should be available for the whole community to continue to use.

Also, often these fields are the only practical place for people to walk their dogs. By their very nature they are flat. Lots of people who might be more mature or others who might have mobility issues cannot climb hills/mountains to walk their dogs. They might also not have the time. Hill/mountain walking done safely takes time and of course not all dogs suit that type of walk - they might be puppies, not very energetic or older.  If these fields were taken away...where would these people walk? Through estates? Alongside busy roads? This is not fun or safe for anyone.

Being out in nature and taking exercise is very good for both our physical and mental health. It is great that so many people from very young children are encouraged and supported to use sport as a tool for maintaining good physical and mental health.

That shouldn't be done at the expense of other parts of the community.

Thank you for listening and hopefully supporting :)