CALLS for a better deal for pet dogs on the North York Moors have been made by the Moors' Association.

The association says: "It is virtually impossible for a dog owner to find any welcoming noises at all for their pets."

The Sundew column in the latest edition of the association's magazine, called Voice of the Moors, adds: "There are many sound reasons why non-dog owners take such a dislike towards dogs. They can be smelly, dirty, often noisy and can spoil a walk or quiet time in the country.

"They can be disruptive of wildlife if not properly controlled. Nowhere is this animosity more marked than on the moors or in game-rearing areas".

The association says the solution is for positive provision to be made by the National Park Authority and other local authorities in the area.

"All that is needed is a few acres of land on which the owner would permit access by dogs, preferably including a free run area and a car parking area with waste disposal facilities.

"Many dog owners would be prepared to make a small payment on a daily or seasonal basis".

Some dog owners travel 20 to 30 miles to give their pet a good run says the author.

"Other than the people owning or running businesses who depend on them, visitors are at best tolerated and sometimes made very unwelcome and their dogs are at the top of the scale of dislike.

"Visitors do, in fact, provide the income for the rural economy to function both in spending money in the area and in supporting farming in their taxes."

The association's comments come only days after an announcement that dogs are to be banned from parts of Dartmoor National Park to protect delicate wildlife habitats.