THE majority of people asked whether dogs should be banned from sports grounds in Pendle have voiced their opposition.

A borough council survey found 60.1 per cent of people disagreed with the proposal to ban dogs from Swinden Cycle Hub and Bullholme Bike Trail on safety grounds.

A total of 68.7 per cent disagreed with the proposal to restrict the number of dogs at sports grounds and 56.3 per cent disagreed with the plan to require those dogs to be on a lead.

The survey attracted 198 responses.

Last year Pendle Council launched a public consultation into dogs being allowed at Swinden Cycle Hub, Swinden Playing Fields, Hodge House Playing Fields, Ringstone Crescent Playing Field and Edge End Playing Fields.

A council spokesman said: “Only where there is alternative provision or where there is a clear safety need was it proposed to ban dogs altogether.

“The council had previously adopted this approach in banning dogs and smoking from children’s play areas and multi-use games areas.

“This applies to the hub where no dogs will be permitted at any time on safety grounds.

“The intention in all other grounds including the areas surrounding designated pitches was to allow no more than two dogs per person and for the dogs to be kept on a lead at all times.

“This would make it less likely for dogs to foul out of the view of their walkers and make the process of enforcement less ambiguous.”