A group of dog owners is worried about the impact on their pets' lives if new dog control orders made by Herefordshire Council come into force.

The group frequently meets at Ross Sports Centre, as they walk their dogs at about the same time every morning, whatever the weather.

They always clean up after their animals, and Allan Loader, who walks Star, told the Ross Gazette, "We could do with some more bins, and that might encourage other people to pick up after their dogs. We always do, but making us keep our dogs on leads will not improve the situation if irresponsible owners don't."

The proposed control orders say that dogs would have to be kept on leads in designated areas, and banned from certain areas of land.

These include Crossfields Tennis Courts and Putting Green in Ross, and the pitches of Ross Sports Centre.

Deidre Cooper told the Gazette, "I do feel that some compromise could be reached – dogs could be kept on leads from, say 9am to 5pm, and obviously when the open spaces were being used."

The walkers all agree that dogs need to be able to run, under supervision, at sites that are accessible and equipped with parking spaces for owners who bring their dogs by car.

If the orders come into force, the council will issue fixed penalty notices, and a fine of £80 will be reduced to £50 if paid within ten days. The orders and maps can be viewed online at www.

herefordshire.gov.uk.