DOG walkers in Mitcheldean are up in arms after news that part of the parish's recreation ground is to be used for sheep grazing.
The area is known locally as the Sheep Field and has not been used for grazing since 2001.
In November sheep belonging to Mr K Hancocks of Bream and Mr J Baldwin of Longhope were reintroduced to the land for a two month trial period.
Protesters reacted angrily, leaving the gates open and removing the weights from the swing gates allowing the sheep to escape into neighbouring gardens.
Mothers have complained about sheep muck on pram wheels and dog walkers say they are concerned they may no longer be allowed to walk through the area.
One reader, who asked not to be named, said the land had been designated as land for recreation and that the fenced area crossed a public footpath.
Parish council chairman Tony Pickthall said: "The land has always been used for sheep grazing in the past, but for some time no one wanted to graze there. The land had been left and had become overgrown, leaving the council with the maintenance costs.
"When someone approached us asking to use the land, we said no problem, but that we would give it a two month trial first as it had been so long since the ground had been used for grazing."
Mr Pickthall said the money from the grazing would go back into the local community and that the fences did not cut off a footpath.
"There is a great deal of animosity regarding this case and the fence has been damaged five times, costing the parish £780 in repairs.
"I appreciate that the parish council may not have got the decision right, but we are very accessible to talk to and very accessible to meet. We would ask these people to get together as a group and meet with us to try to resolve the situation. They should not be taking the law into their own hands."