Social media bid to fight Blackpool Council's new '˜dogs off lead' rules

The group now has close to 1,000 members.

Dog owner and group spokesman Laura Gilmore, 34, said: “Feeling is now running incredibly high as people begin to realise the effect these proposed PSPOs will have on their life and their dogs’ welfare.

“We are receiving messages from residents and businesses who are trying to understand why Blackpool Council are wanting to go all out hitting residents and tourists with these draconian measures.

“We do not understand why a consultation like this was published during the summer recess and holidays. We need questions answered and unfortunately this is not happening.”

Laura, who has an eight-year-old border collie called Jess, says she needs to exercise her dog off the lead as she is competing in agility and obedience.

She added: “Vets have said dogs have huge issues with obesity and getting their heart rate up and dogs have to run to get their heart rate up.

“While we completely agree some areas should exclude dogs such as play areas, cemeteries and cenotaphs it is none sensical to ban them from bridle paths and parks.”

And Laura said she thinks the council is overlooking some of the positives that dog walkers bring to the area.

She added: “We are the ones who pick up the litter because we don’t want our dogs to get injured by it. And we pick up other people’s dog mess too.

“Dog walkers help stop gangs from hanging around because of their presence.

“Without them gangs will start hanging around and there will be anti-social behaviour.”