Angry parents in Shrewsbury say their children’s health is being put at risk by having to walk through a ‘minefield’ of dog mess on their way to school each day.
Many pupils from Greenfields Primary School are coming home caked in dirt, and also leaving it on classroom carpets.
The problem is so bad parents are worried that their children are at risk from canine toxicara, a common worm infection in dogs which can cause blindness in humans.
A father-of-two who has lived in Greenfields for seven years, but who asked not to be named, has taken drastic steps to highlight the issue to Shropshire Council.
On Tuesday, he emailed 94 different images of dog mess taken near his home to council bosses.
He said: “One or two people have complained in the past but it’s just getting worse and worse. I’m trying to make a point to the council because we’ve just had enough.
“There is literally dog mess everywhere – walking to school is like walking through a minefield. I do see some people picking it up which is good. But a select few don’t and it’s the final straw now.
“Kids are going into school and traipsing it through the classrooms.
“My son on more than one occasion has come home with muck on his trousers and shoes.”
The worst affected areas are said to be Greenfields Street near the play park, Hotspur Street and Percy Street, as well as the alley which runs between the two.
Mum-of-two Sarah Hanon said: “I made an official complaint last year and it did improve for a while, particularly through the summer months, but just recently it has become absolutely terrible. I know that dog mess has been trodden into school on at least two occasions recently which is really serious because young children often play on the floor and it is dangerous – people have been known to go blind as a result.
“I have elderly residents next to me and they’ve had it on their doorstep and my son got it all over his shoes and scooter the other day.”
Mark Howorth, Shropshire Council’s street scene manager for central Shropshire, said: “We carry out regular litter picks and street cleaning in the Greenfields area. It is important that people report any problems with litter or dog fouling to us, and we would like to assure people we investigate all reports.
“As we have received a number of dog fouling reports in this area, I’ll speak to our dog warden about patrolling hotspot areas to educate dog owners and, where necessary, issue fines of up to £80.”
By David Seadon