PLANS to make Edinburgh the first city in the UK to ban dogs from public parks have been thrown out after massive public opposition, writes Raymond Duncan.

In the biggest consultation exercise undertaken in Scotland on the problem of dog fouling, the majority of the 1500 people who responded to a survey were against banning dogs from open areas, including Princes Street Gardens.

However, people do want owners who fail to clean up after their pets to be punished.

If the ban had been introduced, 29 parks throughout the city would have been affected.

The consultation was launched in December after rising concerns about the growing problem of dog fouling in city parks.

Dog campaigners were delighted at what they called a victory for common sense.

Spokeswoman Doreen Graham said they had made a number of recommendations to the council as alternatives to the ban.

The next step will be to ask the Government to change the law so that on-the-spot fines can be imposed on owners who do not clean up after their animals.

Officials will also be asked to initiate talks with the police and procurator-fiscal, and to re-designate the 29 parks in the questionnaire, making it an offence to allow dogs to foul designated land.

Discussions are also planned by the council with dog welfare organisations.

If there is no improvement, the matter will be reviewed in a year.