A COUNCIL is threatening to ban dogs from a public woodland in Wooburn unless owners start cleaning up after their pets.

The move by Wooburn and Bourne End Parish Council has angered dog walkers, including Claire Goddard, who points out there is no bin at Farm Woods to get rid of dogs' mess.

The 30-year-old, who runs dog walking company Claire's Comfy Canines, said: “Basically there are no facilities in the woods to get rid of it. So they are suggesting that you take it home in your car which I think is really outrageous.”

The signs, which were put up last week, read: “In view of the high level of fouling in this area the Parish Council will be monitoring the situation over the next few months with a view to excluding dogs unless the situation improves.”

Miss Goddard, of Buckingham Way, Flackwell Heath does three or four different walks each day in various parks.

She added: “There are horses that ride right through the woods on a bridleway and leave their mess all over the place.

“I'm lucky enough to go out into those woods every day but this is my livelihood. This sign goes up without any warning and it feels like a bully tactic from the council.”

Margaret Marshall, chairman of the council's open spaces committee, said: “What comes out of a horse isn't dangerous for children.

"I think the general feeling is people have a duty to clear up after their dogs and it hasn't been happening. Some people are spoiling it for everyone.

“It's never really our intention to ban people but they have to realise that it's their responsibility to clear up.”

She said her committee will consider this week whether it can install a bin at the woods, which are off Broad Lane.

The council put up similar signs at its play areas in October (see link below).