Dog signs go up on village playing fields

Signs asking dog owners to clean up after their pets have been erected on the village playing field.

The long-awaited signs have gone up four months after the Parish Council approved the purchase and installation of dog signs at its meeting in April this year.

The signs have been erected at the entrance to the playing fields off the village car park and near goalposts at the 'cemetery' end of the playing fields.

The Parish Council agenda for its meeting next Monday puts the cost of 'playing field signage' at £324 although it is unclear if this is just for these two signs.

There is as yet no indication from the Parish Council over whether it intends to pursue the possible acquisition of Dog Control Orders which would give powers to fine pet owners who blatantly ignore the signs.

Councillors were told earlier this year that it had no powers to impose sanctions against owners who allowed their pets to soil public places such as the playing fields.

It was thought that penalties for infringement could not be enforced as the former Borough of Crewe & Nantwich had failed to take out Dog Control Orders when it had the opportunity to do so.

But Cheshire East Council later confirmed that the Parish Council could, if it wished, apply for Dog Control Orders in Audlem at any time.

Breach of a Dog Control Order can attract a maximum fine of £1,000 and orders can be made on any open land to which the public are entitled or permitted to have access.

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