Dog bans in council-owned public spaces in Machynlleth and other towns in Powys are still being considered despite a backlash over similar plans in south Wales.

Machynlleth Town Council has fought a long battle against dog fouling in an effort to stop irresponsible owners from letting their pets mess on public land.

Now it wants Powys County Council to introduce dog bans in some public areas after receiving a letter from countryside and outdoor recreation officer Stephan Butcher, who is consulting with town and community councils over the issue.

However, when similar bans were proposed in Cardiff there were mass protests and marches by dog owners, which forced the city council to do a U-turn.

Powys council said, despite the storm of controversy in south Wales, the council was still awaiting responses from town and community councils before any decisions will be made.

A spokesperson said: “The council’s Countryside and Outdoor Recreation Service has written to all town and community councils to ask for their views on the introduction of a PSPO that would cover the land that Outdoor Recreation manage and maintain.

"The deadline for their views is the end of October and they will be considered along with the views of the police and the police and crime commissioner before agreeing the next step.”

Under banning orders, dog owners could be issued with on-the-spot fines for persistent and continued offending.

Introducing orders in Machynlleth would “help us greatly” in battling any problems with dog fouling in the town, said Mr Butcher.

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