DOGS are facing a ban from a popular recreation ground because their owners are failing to clean up after them.

A public consultation has been launched on whether they should be allowed to go for walkies on the village green and sports field in Whiteley.

Fixed penalty fines of up to £50 were introduced by Winchester City Council in the area in 1996 and owners could even land a maximum fine of £1,000 if prosecuted. But a bylaw could now be introduced which would ban pooches altogether.

Parish council chairman, Pat Wright, said: "It's a sports field meant for people and there are signs up asking people to keep their dogs under control, but too many are ignoring them.

"It's a real problem because people playing sports are stepping or falling into the mess and it is a health hazard."

Mr Wright emphasised that dog faeces may contain a disease, toxicariasis, which causes blindness in about 100 children a year. And he added that while most owners acted responsibly it was a minority who were not.

"We want to see what kind of response we get from the public on this matter," Mr Wright said.

"The plans may seem draconian but it could be best for the people of Whiteley and those using the sports fields."

Tracey Barker, chairman of the Whiteley Community Association, said any new bylaw could be difficult to enforce.

She said: "I certainly agree that dog owners need to pick up, but whether dogs should be banned is another matter that will be difficult to enforce. I think the council needs to look at the possibility of adding more bins to the recreation ground. Or perhaps they could let dog walkers take their pets around the side."

Sara Ward, a spokesman for the Kennel Club, said it was unfair to penalise dogs when it was their owners who were at fault.

She said: "We promote responsible ownership and feel owners should be given on-the-spot fines if caught. Dogs give back so much to people it would be a shame to punish them."

The closing date for the consultation is April 30.