Some Parkrun faithful are calling for pets to be banned from the event after a jogger suffered facial injuries in a “nasty” accident with a dog lead.

Participants have been allowed to run with their dogs by their side throughout the event’s 20-year history – as long as they are on a short lead.

However, as the free Saturday morning 5km events have grown in popularity, the number of incidents involving runners tripping over dogs has also increased.

Last Saturday, a male jogger suffered cuts to his mouth, tongue, knee and hands in a “very nasty fall” at the Great Field Parkrun in Poundbury, Dorchester, Dorset.

The man ran into a dog that was ”all over the place” despite being on a lead, which wrapped around his legs, sending him flying face-first to the ground.

In another recent incident, an elderly female runner was injured after she was reportedly “taken out” by a dog at a Parkrun in Cardiff.

And last year a retired airline pilot was left ”dripping in blood” after he tripped over a dog lead and fell at a Parkrun in Surrey.

Tony Williams, the race director for the Great Field Parkrun, said: "We had a participant suffer a very nasty fall due to a dog that was not effectively controlled, despite a shorter lead.

"The dog was “all over the place”, and as such, the lead wrapped around the runner's legs and tripped him up, quick enough for the runner to fall heavily onto his face.

"The runner sustained cuts to his mouth, tongue, knee and hands, as well as damaging his glasses.

"I am very grateful to the marshals for their quick action and for the runner himself for being a trooper despite the incident.

"Unfortunately, I didn't see or speak to the dog owner, and I understand he was very apologetic."

Mr Williams asked dog owners to take extra care when running with their pets.

He said: "It's imperative that if you are not able to control your dog, you do not place other runners at risk."

In 2022, Parkrun banned waist-belt harnesses joggers used to keep their dogs on as they were becoming a trip hazard.

As a result, dog owners set up BarkRun, which involves local groups meeting up for a social run with their pets at Parkrun routes before the main event starts.

But the most recent injury has sparked a debate on social media over whether dogs should be banned altogether from Parkrun.

Carol Dare posted: "I have had several near misses myself, and it's very frightening. I think Parkrun should be solely for humans, and participants whose dogs enjoy a run with their owner should do so outside of Parkrun."

Charles Bannerman said: "I've said all along that bloody dogs - and buggies for that matter - shouldn’t be allowed at Parkruns.

Megan Robinson wrote: "I have almost got tangled up with dogs on a number of occasions. On one occasion a dog pulled its owner into a ditch right across my path and I quickly had to divert. I am very wary of them at Parkrun."

Paul Freyne claims he has been sworn and even spat at after asking dog owners to keep their pets under control during the runs.

He said: "Every week I see the same thing all over the UK... dogs on waist harnesses, extendable leads, long leads and either blocking most of the path or running in front of their owners and on the heels of the runners in front. The owners have no interest in the safety of others.

"I have asked dog owners to keep their dogs under control many times at Parkruns and have either been sworn at, spat at or threatened with violence.

"When I have been rear-ended, the dog owners never apologise."

But others defended taking dogs to Parkrun, which they say is meant to be a social event.

Ian Stothard said: "I tail walk with my dog, and she is always under control; it's the fast runners that should take heed when they see a walker or runner with a dog. Parkrun is not about getting PBs but enjoying the event; that is for all abilities."

Sam Smith said: "If I run with my dog, I recognise that he’s not yet ‘perfect’ at running by my side, so I start a few seconds late, at the back and keep out of everyone’s way."