Proposals to restrict the number of parks where dogs can roam freely must be properly advertised, say pooch owners who slammed Waltham Forest Council’s previously planned shake-up of dog control orders.

The authority has opened up its latest proposed control orders to public consultation after 450 people signed a petition against previous proposals to ban dogs from more parks in the borough.

Now the council has changed its tack after the criticism and following meetings with campaign group Waltham Forest for Dogs.

It is proposing to keep dogs on leads in more play areas, with no more suggested dog-free zones, and hopes to make large parts of Lloyd Park, Walthamstow, and Chingford’s Mansfield Park, ‘off-lead’ areas.

Waltham Forest for Dogs chair Mark Fisher, the group partly responsible for the negative feedback the council received on the last set of proposals drawn up in March, said the new plans were an improvement.

They come after a number of high profile dog attacks in the borough, with the council hoping to make orders consistent in all areas, but Mr Fisher added that there were still issues that need to be addressed.

He said: “The signage in the parks is appalling, so people aren’t aware of the conditions of the space they’re walking in. It needs to be made clear where dogs are and aren’t allowed to be off the lead.

“It’s logical not to allow dogs off lead in parks with no real open spaces. But where there’s plenty of open space why are you not allowed to have your dog off the lead?”

He also pointed to the lack of fencing to separate the proposed off-lead areas from on-lead spaces, such as in Lloyd Park.

He said: “There has to be understanding of dog behaviour. How is a dog meant to know when to stop running? If they see a squirrel or a fox they will chase it.

“We don’t want lots of fines being handed out because of a lack of awareness.”

The council says signage will be installed at all locations to ensure park users know what dog control orders apply.

Cabinet member for the environment, Clyde Loakes, said: “We know that far and away the vast majority of dog owners in the borough are responsible and sensible.

“Much of this work is simply to define what the rules are in all areas of the borough and to then signpost them for everyone to see.

“Where appropriate we will enforce against the small minority of dog owners who flout the law, but this consultation is not about discriminating against dogs, it is about striking the right balance so that everyone can use our parks and open spaces.”

The consultation runs from today until 5pm on Monday, August 12. People can complete it online at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/wfdcoconsult or pick up a copy from the town hall.