Dog owners are letting their animals loose in a private fishing area, causing misery for Shropshire anglers, it has been claimed.

A Shropshire river bailiff claims dog owners let their animals run off the lead, tangling lines and stealing bait and has warned an angler could end up in the river.

John Roberts, chairman and head bailiff to the Shropshire Anglers Federation, claims dog owners are entering a permit holders-only area at the weir in Shrewsbury.

He said there have been a number of incidents around the river bank and he wanted to remind people that only anglers with permits could enter the area.

He said: “The weir on the gate clearly states permit holders only.

“When salmon fishing you face downstream, so you are without sight of the gate.

“The noise of the weir itself makes for fishing without the ability to hear.

“It is only a matter of time before one of these dogs chasing the ball, will brush past the back of the legs of the angler and we have an angler in the river.”

Mr Roberts said he had written to Councillor Alan Mosley, who represents Castlefields, to raise the issue.

Councillor Mosley said today he had received the letter and would be contacting Mr Roberts in order to find out more about the issues that anglers had experienced with loose dogs in the area.

He said: “I will also be consulting with residents about their experience.

“Clearly if dogs are off the lead and there is a problem it needs to be dealt with.

“We’ll be talking to other area users to see what the consensus is.”

Mr Roberts has issued a warning to dog owners entering the area around the weir.

He said: “This ‘no permit’ disregard can, and will be, viewed as being trespass with intent to endanger another through lack of due care and diligence.

“Another factor is that being the river side of the gate without a permit, no public liability will be accepted for injury sustained, however caused.”