DOG owners who walk their dog on sports pitches but fail to pick up after them have been slammed.

Residents have shared their anger over the level of dog fouling on Dallam playing fields, which have been described as a ‘minefield’ of poo.

Dog owners can be fined between £50 and £80 on-the-spot if they fail to clear up mess left by their dog.

The matter has been raised with Warrington South MP Andy Carter and Warrington Borough Council in an attempt to clamp down on the issue.

One resident told the Warrington Guardian: “The amount of dog fouling on the rugby pitches on Dallam playing fields is getting beyond a complete joke.

“Bank Quay Bulls u14s recently trained on the field and it was like a minefield. It has always been a massive problem there. If you have a dog, pick up after it.

“It is absolutely disgusting knowing that more than 200 kids use the pitches on a regular basis, and I am not the only angry coach and volunteer at the club.

Warrington South MP Andy Carter

Warrington South MP Andy Carter

“I have reached out to Andy Carter MP to see if he can assist the club and explore the possibilities of fencing the pitches off, and I am currently waiting on a response from his office.”

In response, the Warrington South MP said: “Sadly, this problem exists on too many playing fields across Warrington south.

“It is simply not fair on those people playing sport, particularly children, when owners have not taken the time to clean up after their dogs.

“Overwhelmingly dog owners are responsible, but to those who are not, I ask them to consider how they might feel if it were their children falling in dog mess when playing sport – it is an awful experience which nobody wants to see.

“There are already bins in most places, and I have asked the council to increase the use of enforcement officers on Dallam playing fields.”

Warrington Borough Council was approached to comment.