A ‘NON-CONFRONTATIONAL’ way of preventing dog fouling on a Chipping Sodbury playing field will be adopted by the trust which manages the site, following numerous incidents of owners failing to clean up after their pets.

The Chipping Sodbury Town Trust plans to adopt South Gloucestershire Council’s ‘Green Dog Walkers’ initiative for the Ridings Playing Fields.

The Gazette reported last week that the trust was struggling to cope with the amount of dog fouling left behind by irresponsible owners in the popular playing field, which is used by a number of sports clubs.

Trust members had suggested a number of measures to address the problem, including a by-law that would see dogs forced to remain on leads at all times at the Ridings – and also serious fines for those caught not picking up their dog mess.

However, after the trust had a meeting last week, members decided to adopt a softer approach to try and deal with the problem first.

The Green Dog Walkers sees owners apply to the council for a green armband which they can wear while walking their animal.

Owners who are given the armband ‘take the pledge’ to do the following: Clean up after their dog, carry extra dog waste bags, be happy to be approached to ‘lend’ a dog waste bag to those without and be a friendly reminder to other dog walkers to clean up after their dogs.

The scheme is described as a “non-confrontational, friendly way to change attitudes towards dog fouling”.

The trust will be hosting a Green Dog Walkers day in early September, to raise awareness of the scheme.

One trustee, and former chair of the trust, David Shipp had previously told the Gazette that the group was looking at enforcing a by-law which would make it an offence to let your dog off the lead in the field, but it’s hoped this won’t be necessary.

“We know that 99 per cent of people that walk their dogs at the Ridings are responsible, but there are some that are not,” he said.

The trust provides free dog poo bags at the fields, which costs them over £2,000 a year.

Chairman on the Trust, Roger Penfold echoed Mr Shipp's opinions, stating: "We are aware that not everyone is irresponsible, 95% of the people that exercise their dogs are responsible.

"We are looking in to CCTV vehicle recognition that will help us to prosecute.

"If we see something untoward happening then we can pass that on and find out who it was.

"I don't like the idea of having dogs on leads, but we need to make sure that the owners are responsible for whatever their dogs do."