Plans to stop dog owners letting their dogs off leads in parts of Oswestry could be overturned – after a public outcry during the consultation period.Hundreds of people signed petitions and sent in letters of concern over the proposal.

The dog control orders are due be brought into force in the borough next month.

The orders say people could fall foul of the law if they let their dogs off leads in areas including The Old Racecourse and Ifton Meadows in St Martins – both popular dog walking areas.

The borough council received about 500 responses, and although many supported the orders in principle, concerns were raised that they were too restrictive.

The council also received a 311-signature petition and a further 99 responses obje- cting to The Old Racecourse and Ifton Meadows being included within the “dogs on leads” part of the orders.

Objections were also raised about the amount of dogs a person is allowed to take out onto land mentioned in the order.

In response, assistant chief executive Dave Jones, will recommend to members at Tuesday’s full council meeting that the Old Racecourse and Ifton Meadows be deleted from the draft order, and that the number of dogs that people are allowed to take out at one time be increased from four to six.

Councillors will be asked to consider these amendments to the draft orders and to consider the recommendations made by Mr Jones, together with the responses that have been received from members of the public.

A decision on the orders is expected to be made at the full council meeting.