THE RSPCA has given a big paws-up to plans from Wrexham County Borough Council that will ensure all dog walkers carry faeces bags.

The local authority is consulting on a new 'Dog Control and Dog Fouling' Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), ahead of the expiration of current rules on March 1 2020.

Under new plans, any person who is in control of a dog will need to carry an appropriate receptacle or bag to ensure they can clean up any dog faeces immediately.

And RSPCA Cymru has welcomed these plans - which it says will “encourage responsible dog ownership”, and help “ensure harmonious relationship between dog-owning and non-dog owning communities”.

The animal welfare charity has also urged the local authority to reconsider a long-standing ban on dogs being walked on marked sports pitches within the local area.

RSPCA Cymru says it is "concerned at any continued restriction of adequate space for dogs to walk in Wrexham, which could unintentionally compromise welfare" - so have continued to call on these measures to be revisited.

Lewis Clark, RSPCA public affairs adviser, said: “It's great to see Wrexham Council taking steps that will ensure anyone in charge of a dog must carry a poo bag. This is a really welcome step.

“Ensuring dog owners carry an appropriate receptacle will help tackle fouling and encourage responsible dog ownership, while helping to ensure harmonious relationship between dog-owning and non-dog owning communities

RSPCA Cymru says it has a "great working relationship" with Wrexham Council - which has been recognised time and again for its stray dog service.

This is as well as recently taking measures to stop the giving of pets as prizes on council land and to mitigate the impact of fireworks on pets and vulnerable people.

Mr Clark added: "We’re continuing to urge the local authority to revisit a long-standing ban on walking dogs on marked sports pitches in the local area, too.

"RSPCA Cymru has long been concerned by any continued restriction of adequate space for dogs to walk in Wrexham, which could unintentionally compromise welfare. We fear these measures give fewer opportunities to be able to exercise dogs off the lead; allowing them to best express their normal behavioural patterns."