ABERAERON town councillors have agreed to back Ceredigion County Council’s proposed registration scheme for dogs – even though one disgruntled member described it as “rubbish”.

The local authority is canvassing opinion on moves to introduce an online payment of £20 per year to help combat the impact irresponsible dog owners are having on communities.

However, while his colleagues were in favour of the proposal, Cllr Darryl Evans questioned whether such a scheme could be adequately enforced.

“It’s rubbish because what will happen to people who don’t pay the £20?” he asked.

“And what about those who have working dogs? To me, this is just a tax.”

However, county councillor Elizabeth Evans, a former dog owner, said she supported the initiative.

“Yes, it’s a form of tax but we are also taxed for using the road,” she told him.

“I support this just as any responsible dog owner would.”

In a letter to the town council, David Lloyd Roberts, Ceredigion County Council’s consumer services manager, outlined its purpose.

“The complaints tend to be consistent in nature – dog owners not keeping their pets under control, failing to pick up the mess made by their pets, allowing the dogs to mess in areas where children play etc,” he said.

“If an online dog registration-type scheme was to be introduced, then the details of the animal could be held on a central register and if the dog strayed then it could be quickly reunited with its owner for a fee.”

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