A CALL has come for a crackdown on dog owners who allow their pets to foul football pitches in the area.

Les Barleycorn, chairman of the Canterbury and District Football League, warned of the serious threat to the health of footballers posed by dogs allowed to roam free.

He called for police community support officers to be mobilised for dog-spotting duties in an effort to enforce the strict health and hygiene codes now in force on sports grounds.

The warning was issued after Chilham Football Club became the latest victims of the threat of dog fouling when a referee ordered their pitch in Branch Road to be cleared before he would start the game.

Club secretary Malcolm Smith said: “This has gone on for years but has got worse lately. The referee was quite right to hold-up the match.

“The parish council provides bins for the use of dog owners. This is a recreation ground play area used by children and adults and we are pleading with dog-owners to observe the warning signs and use the bins made available."

Mr Barleycorn believes the PCSOs should be employed on dog patrol duties in a bid to catch errant owners.

Several of the 50 league clubs under his control complained of similar problems as those faced by Chilham, he said.

Mr Barleycorn warned: “Most football pitches can be found on recreation grounds used by young and adults alike.

“The health regulations are so strong these days that something must be done to clean-up the dog mess that is a serious threat to our communities."