Stroud District Council has launched a 12-week consultation on the introduction of proposals to help reduce dog fouling across the district.

Councillor Joe Forbes, Stroud District Council’s cabinet member for community services, said: "Dog fouling isn’t exactly dinner table conversation but it is a real issue that we all find disgusting and one which poses health risks – particularly to children and teenagers. Whilst we have successfully prosecuted dog owners for not clearing up after their pets, these new measures, which focus on prevention, will help reduce the problem even further."

The proposals put forward centre on excluding dogs from specific areas, e.g sports pitches and children’s play areas and ensuring that they are on a leads in others such as school routes. Together these measures will help reduce incidents of dog fouling and children coming into contact with dog mess.

The new provisions would apply to a greater range of open land, allowing prosecution, or on-the-spot fines, for dog fouling offences committed on all common land within the district.

Councillor Forbes added: "The logic is quite straightforward. Having dogs on leads in certain areas means that they are under the control of the owner and cannot foul whilst out of the owner’s sight. We are also considering the requirement to keep dogs on leads to all public footpaths and pavements and are keen that people let us know of any other areas they think should be added."

The consultation begins on Monday 7th November and runs until Monday 30th January 2012. Full details of the consultation and how to respond are available at www.stroud.gov.uk/dog or by calling 01453 766321 for further information. Parish and town councils will also be asked for their feedback.