Dog owners have reacted with dismay at a council’s plans to extend the number of areas where their pets must be kept on the lead.

In the Folkestone and Hythe district, there are already 15 open spaces where the animals are banned from running free.

Now, two playing fields at the Shorncliffe Heights development in Cheriton could be added to that list - with owners facing a £100 fixed penalty notice if they do not follow the rules.

Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) is proposing to include the popular grass areas known as The Stadium, in Aldridge Road, and Le Quesne, in North Road, in its new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).

Bosses say this is in response to residents’ complaints about dog poo not being picked up and the animals being out of control near children’s play areas.

But people KentOnline spoke to this week at The Stadium said it was unfair to punish responsible owners who have properly trained their pets.

Jade Thompson, of Cheriton, was with her three dogs - Duke, Dollar and Ember - who were happily running around the recreation ground.

She told KentOnline: “Not everyone has dogs that are out of control.

“I agree that dogs that aren't under control should be kept on a lead, but those that people actually do take the time to train shouldn't have to be on a lead.”

Her friend Joanne Wells, walking her pet Bella, referenced the number of open spaces in the district that already have restrictions - including several fields, parks, promenades and beaches.

She said: “Where would we walk our dogs?

“I think it's quite inappropriate because this is a big part of the community.

“A lot of us wouldn't come out if we didn't have our dogs.

“Here, everybody knows each other's dogs. We've all made friends over the years.

“So it would be a real problem if we had to put our dogs on leads in this field as well.”

The proposed changes will go to public consultation and are based on the current 2022 PSPO, which expires later this year.

It also includes extending the ‘dogs on leads’ area in the Lower Leas Coastal Park to prevent uncontrolled pets in the play area and to protect the planted area of Leas Cliff Gardens.

A dog-friendly area would be designated around the amphitheatre and below the Leas Cliff Hall where they would not have to be on leads.

The new measures would also ban the animals from the enclosed children’s play areas at The Stadium, Le Quesne, Mackenzie Drive in Cheriton, Hythe Green and Dymchurch Recreation Ground.

It would also require dogs to be kept on leads in Ladies Walk in Hythe.

Cllr Polly Blakemore, FHDC cabinet member for regulatory services, said: “The amendments to the current dog control PSPO are being proposed in response to complaints we have received from residents.

“It is the few, who do not pick up after their dog has fouled or let their dog run around out of control, who make such measures necessary.

“When it comes to children’s play areas we simply have to protect the health and safety of our young people.”

There are already 15 parks and open spaces in the district where dogs have to be kept on leads, including Kingsnorth Gardens and The Leas in Folkestone, Sandgate Recreation Ground and New Romney Sports Field.

This restriction also applies to six seafront promenades during the summer months.

Dogs are completely banned from going onto eight beaches between May and September. But under the new PSPO proposals, this restriction would be removed at Greatstone.

More information and maps of the areas can be found on the council website.

Comments can be made by responding to this survey or by emailing dogconsultation@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk.

The consultation will be open until June 25 and the feedback will then be considered by councillors.

KentOnline has asked FHDC if it wants to comment further on the dog owners’ comments.