Dog owning residents have enjoyed an amnesty since the laws were passed in March but this has ended now that warning signs have been put in place in the areas affected.

Councillor Stephen Pitts, chairman of the council's leisure services committee, said action would be taken against anyone ignoring the ban.

'Now the signs are up our enforcement officers will be issuing fixed penalty notices to anyone contravening the bylaws relating to dog fouling,' he said.

>> Your Shout: Dog bylaws

Mr Pitts said to emphasise that the ban was now being enforced, the dog bins had been removed from the town's squares and he advised people to use the designated dog exercising area in Noble's Park.

Controversy was sparked after a dog walker was ordered out of Woodburn Square by a council dog warden in June despite there being no signs publicising the ban.

Wendy Hulme, of Prospect Terrace, Douglas, told Isle of Man Newspapers she was so incensed by her treatment she would organise a petition which has since collected hundreds of names calling for the ban to be overturned.

'I am not the only person affected by this decision, shae said. 'Since visiting Woodburn Square on a regular basis there is quite a large dog walking community I have got to know.

'Many of these people are elderly with elderly dogs and they too are expected to make the hike up to Noble's Park.'

Another dog walker said she was assaulted by a self-appointed vigilante resident in July who hit her and one of her dogs with a golf umbrella.
Annabell Storm, 30, of Farmhill said she was indebted to three local men who came to her rescue. She later reported the incident to the police.

At the time she said her attack had been caused by the council's failure to publicise the new laws.

'I am going to fight the council all the way on this one, even if we end up in court.

'I believe these laws will not solve the problem of dog fouling and a blanket ban will cause suffering for our pets.

'A far better option would be a compromise providing a secure area for dogs in the town,' she said.

She said residents in other parts of the Island had expressed concern in case a similar ban was adopted in other areas.

People who have not yet signed the petition — available in pet shops and other locations around the Island — have until the end of September to do so and this could be followed by a protest march.

Another Douglas resident, Alexis Gelling, of Christian Road, Douglas, has even advocated withholding payment of rates because of the ban.

But Mr Christian remains unmoved by the controversy: 'Now the signs have been erected our enforcement team will be vigilant in ensuring the bylaws are strictly observed.

'The bylaws clearly set out those areas where dogs are prohibited and can be viewed either at the town hall or on the council's website at www.douglas.gov.im,' he said.

More information about the campaign opposing the new by laws can be found on the Facebook entry Paws Against Bylaws or at www.iomdogs.info

This website includes a petition that can be downloaded.

Completed petitions can be returned to 71 Strand Street, Douglas.

>> Your Shout: Dog bylaws