Castletown Commissioners has been receiving complaints about dogs off the lead and ’not under effective control’ in Poulsom Park.

It has since conducted a review of signage in the park and found a number have been damaged or removed.

Clerk for the commissioners Hugo Mackenzie said: ’Following a social media post regarding dogs on leads, the commissioners received complaints regarding dogs off the lead and not under the effective control of the owner whilst in Poulsom Park.

’I wish to make it clear that dogs are quite welcome in the park, however following the police social media post, we took the opportunity to highlight to owners that there have been similar complaints.

’It is inappropriate to exercise animals on the rugby pitch [within the park] due to documented incidences of players making contact with dog faeces during sporting fixtures.

’The same applies equally to the skate park, cycle tracks in the bull ring and children’s play area.

’Poulsom Park is a well-used facility, but different parts of our communities have different requirements for parks and green spaces and we recognise that we are likely not meeting all of those needs at present.’

He added: ’Dog bylaws have been debated on numerous occasions by successive boards and it is unlikely that we will ever find a balance that satisfies all parties and this inevitably creates conflict.

’To date, we have not been able to identify any open space that would be suitable as a dog walking park but have chosen not to reintroduce long-standing dog bylaws on Castletown Beach in an effort to achieve some balance.

’I have no doubt that the debate will continue into the future.’

He asked that anyone who encountered any dog fouling in public areas report it to the town hall so it ’may take prompt action and seek to identify those who choose not to clean up after their animals’.

Police shared a statement prior to this on social media saying there had been a number of ’reported incidents recently’ where dogs had not been under the control of their owners, and as a result had caused alarm or injured people. This has resulted in formal control measures being applied for.

Police asked that if people couldn’t recall their dogs when they were off the lead that they keep them on the lead.

This in turn follows the publication of a new dog walking code by the government.

As lambing season begins, the Department for Environment, Food and Agriculture decided to implement a set of rules to follow in order to keep farm animals safe.

It says dogs should be controlled and kept in sight ’at all times’, as well as kept to existing tracks away from livestock, nesting birds and other wildlife. It also asks that owners keep their dog from barking excessively and keep it on a lead.

Legal proceedings can be taken against people who ’don’t exercise adequate control of dogs’ and severe penalties can be imposed. People could face fines of up to £2,500 where any dog is found straying or is not under control on agricultural land.