DOG owners who walk their pets at sports pitches across Hyndburn face being hit with a hefty fine.

People who allow dogs off the lead in town centres are also at threat of fines of up to £100, or £1,000 if convicted at court.

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The plans have been mooted by the council for health and safety reasons and will cover recreational grounds, tennis courts, and skate parks.

Dogs will continue to be banned from children’ play parks, and will still need to be kept on leads in the borough’s three cemeteries.

Head of environmental partnerships at Hyndburn Council, Tony Akrigg, said: “The council’s outdoor sports pitches are used by children, young people and adults for football, rugby league, bowls, and cricket.

“All these sports require participants to handle equipment which comes into contact with the playing surface, or slide, dive and tackle in contact with the playing surface as an integral part of the game.

“It is foreseeable that a child or young person could come into contact with dog fouling during a sporting fixture, recreational game or training session.”

He continued: “The council understands family pets, such as dogs, act as companions and can lead to indirect health benefits from going on walks and improved emotional well-being.

“Therefore, proposals to exclude dogs are focused on areas of highest potential risk.

“There are many other parks and green spaces suitable for exercising dogs.”

Despite assumptions to the contrary, dog owners do not need to have their pets on a lead in town centres.

But, after being swamped with complaints, the council plans to ban the act by making a public spaces protection order (PSPO).

Several groups are now set to be contacted about the plans, including residents’ groups, the dog warden, vets, sports clubs, and the Lancashire Football Association.

Parks boss Cllr Ken Moss said four enforcement officers had been employed.

He said: “Since we introduced cash rewards for information, the number of prosecutions has gone up considerably, so it is working. We also have a team of five dog wardens and a new fleet of vans.

“We are taking this seriously.”