A PRIMARY school route in the Valley has been described as a “dog fouling hotspot.”

Pupils as young as three-years-old have to dodge dog mess daily while walking to St John with St Michael Cof E Primary School in Shawforth.

Council officers have earmarked Gertrude Street to Moss Side Street as a priority for the health and safety of the children walking to and from the school because dog owners are regularly failing to clean up after their animal.

Headteacher Beverly Holmes said: “I have been down to the paths myself and the problem is very serious.

“Nursery children often use this route with their parents, especially in the current economic climate where people are trying to save money on running cars.

“We are running an eco-initiative at the school to encourage children to walk, but if they have to walk down paths with dog fouling, it does not encourage them to walk.

“If children step in the mess or get it on their hands, then it can cause serious health issues, so there is no excuse for dog owners using the school route, they have to clean it up.”

Catherine Taylor, commun-ities team area officer for Whitworth, said: “We are experiencing dog fouling hotspots in Shawforth worryingly on route to the primary school.

“Dog fouling is a problem, from someone stepping into it, to the risk of contracting toxocariasis which causes 50 cases of serious eye infection and even blindness every year.

“It is a criminal offence to leave your dog to foul land.”

The council is now planning to increase the number of dog waste bins and will soon deploy more officers to issue fixed penalty issues to anyone ignoring the law.

An on the spot fine of £75 can be given to anyone failing to clean up after their dog.