Keeping dogs on their leads in public places would "border on cruelty", according to a furious dog owner.

"Dog exclusion zones" are being considered in public places across Three Rivers and owners could be forced to keep their dogs on leads in popular walking areas.

Pooches could be confined to their leads in places such as Chorleywood Common, Chorleywood House and Rickmansworth Aquadrome.

Three Rivers District Council has launched a consultation on the proposals.

Furious dog owners have condemned the plans, saying it could have a major effect on their dogs and said they could be forced to drive "further afield" to let their dog of the lead.

Sheila Harrington, of Townfield, Rickmansworth, regularly takes her Jack Russell down to the Aquadrome in Frogmoor Lane.

She said: "The consultation is on the council website, but many people do not have access to or use of the internet, and no notices are to be seen in the many areas under consideration.

"This might mean the outcomes can be arrived at which are not truly representative.

"Rickmansworth and Chorleywood have very large dog populations, and the majority are taken to the Aquadrome, Chorleywood Common and House, as well as Chess River area to be excercised.

"It would border on cruelty to keep dogs on a lead at all times, which is what is proposed. They should have the freedom to run and to socialise.

The council is using new powers from the recently introduced Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to consider introducing the Public Spaces Protection Order, but if someone fails to comply, they could face fines of up to £100.

One question in the survey asks people whether they want dogs to be kept on a lead near the Cafe in the Park near Rickmansworth Aquadrome.

It goes on to ask: "how strongly do you agree or disagree that keeping dogs on leads should be extended to include other public spaces".

Eileen Gardiner, of Heronsgate Road, Chorleywood, regularly walks her black Labrador, Jasper, in Chorleywood Common, Chess walk and Phillipshill Wood.

She said: "He is the kind of dog who needs to be let off the lead to be healthy. He needs to run around and explore.

"There is sufficient legislation to deal with someone if they have a dangerous dog.

"We do not need more regulations to deal with that. I have not seen any badly behaved dogs in The Common.

"It would have a really major effect on people who have dogs. You cannot exercise a dog properly if they are on the lead all the time.

"There are some excellent places to walk, which are a real asset to Chorleywood and to suddenly take that away from people who have dogs does not seem right."

Geof Muggeridge, director of community and environmental services at the council, said: "Three Rivers has listened to residents asking us to improve the dog fouling situation and limit the number of dogs each dog walker can take out at one time.

"There has recently been a change in the law that allows councils to tackle the behaviour of the minority of irresponsible dog owners.

"The only thing agreed so far is that there should be a consultation survey.

"There is no question of implementing anything new before the results of the consultation are known and assessed. The committee will discuss this in public when making a decision.

"The aim is to keep public open spaces free from dog fouling and nuisance behaviour and allow people, families and their dogs to continue to enjoy them.

The survey can be seen and completed by following this link: http://www.threerivers.gov.uk/news/public-spaces-and-dogs-tell-us-what-you-think