A PROTEST march along Wirral’s coast on Sunday saw 200 people demonstrate against the council plan to ban dogs from the area, as part of a “Public Spaces Protection Order.”

Organised by Wirral Good Dogs – a Facebook group that has grown in response to the plan – the march from Leasowe Lighthouse to Wallasey included dog owner and their pets, children and councillors.

Organiser Amanda Lancaster said: “I was incensed when I found out about this proposal and felt that I had to do something to get a message to the council that this was not acceptable.

“Why should we responsible dog owners be penalised because a small majority don’t control their dogs. It really is appalling what the Council are intending on doing, it will have a dreadful effect on people’s health, both mentally and physically.and dogs health of course and all the dog friendly restaurants/pubs will suffer.

“The turnout for this protest was amazing and it sends a clear message that the Council have got this wrong. I urge people to complete the council survey and contact their Councillors for support.”

The plan will see dogs banned from areas in Wallasey, West Kirby, Hoylake, Meols, Moreton, Leasowe and Birkenhead Park.

Councillor Steve Williams, who attended the protest with colleagues Chris Blakeley and Bruce Berry, said: “The plan will penalise responsible owners while doing nothing to tackle the problem of dog fouling in many residential roads. This weekend’s march showed the strength of feeling over the town hall’s plans – many of the people taking part are genuinely upset that parts of the borough will become no-go areas, to be enjoyed only by the few, not the many.”

The rules include a ban on dog walking between May and the end of September

The council said there will still be “over 20 miles of unrestricted beach” for letting dogs off the lead all year round, and outside of the warmer season, dogs would be able to go anywhere on the bathing beaches.