All children need safe, clean dog free areas to play

I am a dog owner and have young children. I agree strongly that no dogs other than assistance dogs, on a lead, should be permitted in child play areas and designated sports areas such as tennis courts. Dog poo even when picked up leaves some residue and many children including my own would be scared if a strange dog came racing towards them. There could be a fenced off designated area in these dog free zones for the assistance dogs to do their business if necessary.

I do however believe that dogs should be allowed off the lead in other areas within parks for exercise and socialising with other dogs. Owners should be strongly penalised for failing to show that they can control their pets and not picking up their dogs poo.

Each park layout is different and would need to be looked individually as such.