Dog walkers could be limited to exercising only four mutts each in large parks as Merton Council moves to crack down on out of control canines.

Morden Hall Park, Ravensbury Park and Mitcham Common are among open spaces larger than half an acre where control orders will be imposed if the cabinet votes through proposals next month.

Councillors are also looking at introducing control orders authorising police and council officers to direct walkers to put a dog on a lead if it is seen to be intimidating people or other animals.

The proposals come after the council received an increasing number of complaints from dog owners saying their dogs are being attacked in parks by rampaging dogs whose owners have no control over them.

Up to 10 vans of dogs are reported to arrive on Beverley Meads recreation ground by Wimbledon Rugby Club each morning, after restrictions were introduced in Richmond Park and Wimbledon Common - which has bye-laws limiting dogs to four per walking group, with special licenses for a limited number of professional dog walkers to supervise up to six canines.

Residents have also reported feeling threatened by dogs, after two attacks on people in Merton parks this summer.

David Toms, of Phipps Bridge Road, Mitcham was arrested in July after his tri-coloured Collie attacked a woman in Morden Hall Park when it became dangerously out of control.

Appearing in Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court today, he was fined £305, including £100 in compensation to the victim. 

A 50-year-old woman was taken to hospital in June after she was bitten by a dog in Three King’s Piece during Mitcham Carnival. No arrests were made and no dog was seized.

In a question submitted to councillors at a full council meeting this month, Melanie Nunzet, Friends of Mitcham Common secretary, said: "Mitcham Common is used by dog walkers who use the space for profitable gain, eight or more dogs, led by one person.

"This is dangerous and intimidating for other users. They often do not clean up afterwards."

More than 60 per cent of residents who answered a council survey in 2012 said walkers should be restricted to four dogs each in open spaces larger than half an acre.

Just under 60 per cent of respondents agreed dog walkers should be forced to put dogs on leads if directed to by an authorised officer.

However, there are concerns new dog control orders could threaten dog-walking businesses.

Mark Upton, owner of dog-walking company Nobletails, said: "The rules could reduce income for dog walking companies by a half pretty much. Dog walkers can’t do more walks per day so it affects the income and it also affects the prices for the people who need their dog walked."

The New Malden-based dog walker, who has a license to walk six dogs on Wimbledon Common, has recently started renting a few acres in Cobham where up to 30 dogs can roam, after he said control orders elsewhere have squeezed dog walkers into corners of south west London.

Mr Upton said: "All the dog owners are pushed into one area so the problem is being caused by restrictions. As professionals we know the people who are nervous and we avoid them."

This Is Local London:

Special licence: professional dog-walker Mark Upton escorts six dogs on Wimbledon Common 

He said he is confident controlling eight dogs, but thinks a limit of six dogs per professional dog walker is reasonable.

Councillor Andrew Judge, cabinet member for environmental sustainability and regeneration, said the cabinet will not consider introducing an order to keep dogs on leads on all public pavements, which just under 50 per cent of survey respondents supported in 2012.

If the proposals are supported by cabinet members on October 20, residents will then be invited to make representations for 28 days and there will be a further 14 days before the orders are approved.

Would you like to see new dog control orders introduced in Merton parks?

Comment below, or e-mail louisa.clarence@london.newsquest.co.uk.