³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

Dog owners in Oldham face having to keep their dogs on leads in seven council parks and being kept out of all children's play areas to try to eradicate dog mess.

The number of dogs that a single person can take into a park would also be restricted to four.

Oldham Council is now consulting people on the plans.

Currently dogs must be kept on leads in cemeteries and crematoriums and are excluded from public park play areas.

The consultation will ask people what they think of the proposals and how they could be applied, and will run until 27 September.

Dog faeces carries toxocariasis, which can lead to death and blindness.

Councillor Rod Blyth said: "Unfortunately a small number of inconsiderate owners do not clear up after dog fouling which causes not just annoyance, but also a potentially serious health hazard to the wider community.

"These new dog control proposals could help us to better target and reduce that anti-social behaviour and are designed to reduce incidents and accidents involving dogs, and to protect the public."

A copy of the proposals, and maps showing the new play areas to be included, can be viewed at the town's Civic Centre in West Street.