People will be banned from walking more than six dogs at the same time in one Black Country borough under a crackdown.

Dog walkers caught with more than the permitted number of animals face stiff fines.

The new rules due to be unveiled in Sandwell will also include tough fines for dog fouling and will ban dogs from certain places.

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 People will be banned from walking more than six dogs at the same time in one Black Country borough under a crackdown.

Dog walkers caught with more than the permitted number of animals face stiff fines.

The new rules due to be unveiled in Sandwell will also include tough fines for dog fouling and will ban dogs from certain places.

The current legislation on dog fouling and the control of animals in public places has expired to make way for new rules in the new year.

The council is revamping the regulations to restrict people to walking no more than six dogs at any one time.

Cabinet member for community services and safety Councillor Derek Rowley said the new rules would cover a wide range of aspects of how people walk their dogs in public.

Although six would be the maximum number of dogs allowed under the new rules, the recommendation is four. “Obviously walking six chihuahua is very different from walking six rottweilers,” Councillor Rowley said. “We will also be looking at dogs on leads outside the curtilage of their property.”

There will also be tough rules on where dogs can be let off the lead.

The council will also ban dogs from a number of high-risk places included play areas, some parts of parks, football fields and cemeteries.

A document being prepared by officers and council chiefs will be submitted for discussion in the new year.

Street wardens will be the main source of enforcement, with £75 fixed-penalty notices for offenders.