A SCHOOL is urging the council to take stronger action against irresponsible dog owners.
Berry Brow I&N School says dog owners have been letting their animals defecate on the footpaths and pavements surrounding the school.
And despite signs telling owners to clear up after their dogs, the problem has got worse, the school has said.
Pupils have been asked to design posters to appeal to dog owners’ consciences.
But the school is urging the council to take strong steps against owners who ignore the signs.
Headteacher Jacquie Hall said: “We get lots of complaints about dog mess all around the link between our school and the high school complex. It just seems to be all over the place. It’s quite shocking.
“Kids step in it and in the morning we have to clean it out of the carpets.
“We’re getting children to design some posters we can put outside the school. It’s a bit sad that we have to.”
Parent Scott Reid says he and his four-year-old son Alex have to run an obstacle course when they walk to school.
Mr Reid, 40, of Berry Brow, said: “Since September the problem has got progressively worse. The signs are up and people aren’t taking any notice.
“If anyone sees someone letting their dog foul the pavement they should say something or contact the council. It’s disgusting and dangerous.
“People are selfish leaving it there when young kids are knocking about.”
Dog excrement, if it comes into contact with the eyes, can cause blindness.
A spokesman for Kirklees Council said: “We have increased formal patrols and, in addition, whenever any of our staff are in the Berry Brow area we always check the school.
“The main problem times are early morning, late nights and weekends when the school is closed and we are paying particular attention to these times.
“We would welcome the opportunity to work with any school or parent group to develop ideas on how best to deal with this issue”.
