CANINE lovers battling to save a 'run-down' crazy golf area are hoping it can be transformed into a permanent play paradise for troubled dogs.

More than 450 people from across the globe have backed Jo Sanders' online petition urging Oxford City Council to create a secure area for pooches in Florence Park.

It would mean hounds unable to run loose in the main part of the park could dart and dash freely in a fenced-off area without a lead.

Mrs Sanders, who has two rescue dogs, said: "All dogs love to run around and play. There are so many dogs out there who have probably had hard starts in life and deserve to have the best [time during the] rest of life."

The Littlehay Road resident has been taking four-year-old Turbo and two-year-old Oreo, both lurchers, to the 'unused' crazy golf area for the past year after getting permission from the leaseholder to use it 'temporarily'.

She said Turbo was 'anxious' when she first took him in, while Oreo had little human contact after being abandoned on a travellers site – both needing an enclosed area to come off leads to be trained.

Mrs Sanders added: "It has made a massive difference. If the area was taken away, their quality of life would drop. We would go back to square one – they would not be meeting other dogs. They would be back on lead walks and I don't think that is a fair life for any dog."

About 20 to 30 dog owners are thought to take their hounds weekly to the crazy golf area, dubbed by Ms Sanders as 'unfit for purpose'.

The senior systems analyst said she would be devastated if her pooches were left without the freedom to run around, launching her petition after fears the area would be moved to another part of Florence Park.

She is now preparing to submit proposals to council, which includes either transforming the area into a permanent canine facility, where monthly paying members have access through a key code, or crafting a fenced-off area at the back of the park.

Mrs Sanders said: "There are a lot of dogs in this area and people would come from other areas because there is nothing in Oxford."

Upper Arncott resident Kate Williamson said her two greyhounds cannot be off leads in open area as their recall is 'extremely poor', adding: "They will also chase any small animal due to their training as they are both ex-racers. A secure, enclosed area, is vital so they can be let off lead to have a run and give them mental as well as physical stimulation."

Chicago resident Sherry Kostman showed her support for the 'wonderful idea' from America, writing online: "Secure areas for dogs are all over the United States now. All dogs deserve to have an off-lead run and the chance to socialise regardless of their background."

City council head of community services Ian Brooke said: "Local councillors, parks officers and the Friends of Florence Park met a representative of the dog owners group last week.

"The petitioners were asked to submit a formal proposal which will be circulated for all parties to comment on.

"As the golf enclosure is leased to a third party, an alternative location for the dog owners could be explored.”

See change.org/p/oxford-city-council-save-our-secure-dog-off-lead-area-in-florence-park-oxford-ox4