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A Plymouth mum-of-two who was reduced to tears after being fined for walking her dog off the lead in Central Park wants to warn others of the potential dangers.

Single mum Charlotte Cioffi wants to make people aware of the rules on dogs in the popular beauty spot after she was landed with a hefty fine.

Charlotte claims she was "intimidated" by three enforcement officers after she took her French bulldog to the park - and ended up being fined £100. Read more about the rules here.

The 32-year-old said she felt there needed to be warnings and education in place, instead of a straight fine with no explanation as to where the dogs-on-lead areas are.

She said she believes Plymouth City Council has not "made it clear enough" with the signs in the park and feels that dog walkers are being 'tricked deliberately to make money'.

But the council said it is "confident that the area in which dogs must be on leads in Central Park is clear" and there are both signs as you enter the park and also on path itself.

Charlotte said the fine will have a significant impact on her financially, but she has appealed it.

She said: "I think the fine was unfair because I genuinely didn't see the only two signs, that I personally think are positioned incorrectly. I feel like the council haven't made it clear enough for the public and it is almost like tricking dog walkers deliberately to make money.

(Image: Charlotte Cioffi)

"The fine itself is excessive also, and being a lone parent - supporting two children and doing an apprenticeship to better my life - a fine like this has a massive impact financially.

"I think I could have been given a warning; the officers could see that I was distressed about the situation, and the officer even mentioned he could see that I was distracted as I was on my phone. That doesn't mean to say that I'm not a responsible dog walker though - I pick up my dog waste and respect rules that are put into place to protect the environment and public places, but Central Park has always been a place dog walkers can go and let their dogs roam freely.

"Now the council have built up on Central park - they need to be more responsible for making it clear to the public on the new rules and the consequences. More importantly, I want the people of Plymouth to know about this so they don't get stung like I have.

A Plymouth City Council spokesman said: “Although we are unable to comment on individual cases, we are confident that the area in which dogs must be on leads in Central Park is clear. Not only are there signs as you enter the park, but also on path itself.

(Image: Plymouth City Council)

“The dogs on lead area of Central Park stretches from south of the Clock Tower to the boundary of the pitch and putt golf course. It covers the play space, the new tennis courts, the Community Sports Hub and the Meadow Café.

"All areas in which dogs must be kept on a lead in Plymouth can be found here - www.plymouth.gov.uk/animalsandpests/dogcontrol."

The spokesman added: “The lady was approached by one officer and two trainees. Usually, there would be just one trainee accompanying an officer but staff sickness meant that on this particular day, they were an extended team.”