Rejected petition Ban dogs from entering marked sports playing pitches in Wales
We call on the Senedd to urge the Welsh Government to introduce legislation requiring local authorities to ban dogs from entering any marked sports playing pitches, including football, rugby, and other community sports fields.
More details
Across Wales, sports clubs and local volunteers are reporting a growing problem with dog fouling on marked pitches. There have been recent cases where children and young people have been forced to train or compete on fields contaminated with dog mess, creating clear health risks and undermining community sport.
Dog fouling on pitches is not only unpleasant, it can transmit harmful infections, including toxocariasis, which can cause serious illness. Coaches and volunteers often spend significant time clearing pitches before sessions, and some clubs have had to cancel training or matches entirely.
While many dog owners act responsibly, current enforcement powers and signage are not preventing repeated fouling on marked sports surfaces. A consistent, Wales‑wide ban, similar to existing Public Spaces Protection Orders in some areas, would protect children, support grassroots sport, and reduce the burden on volunteers and local authorities.
Why was this petition rejected?
There’s already a petition about this issue. We cannot accept a new petition when we already have one about a very similar issue, or if the Petitions Committee has considered one in the last year.
This petition is still open and due to be discussed again during March. https://petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/245802
We only reject petitions that don’t meet the petition standards
Rejected petitions are published in the language in which they were submitted