Dog owners are turning a popular public footpath into 'stepping stone alley', a parish council has been told.

Pool-in-Wharfedale Parish Council heard how people who failed to use poop scoops were putting at risk the health of children using the path to get to school.

The path, which runs around the recreation ground, was a means of youngsters making their way to Pool CE Primary to avoid the heavy lorries using Arthington Lane. But a concerned resident told a council meeting that they could no longer take the alternative route because of the mess.

Chairman Chris Leggatt said the land was owned by the Recreation Ground Management Committee (RGMC) and was beyond the current laws extended to parks and playing fields by Leeds City Council.

But he added: "It is the RGMC's responsibility to deal with any dog fouling and they have made some attempts by putting up notices.

"However, we have since had a request to put collection bins in place in Millcroft, because people who are taking notice of the signs are actually dropping their bags in the stream."

Coun Leggatt said he hoped Leeds City Council would soon extend its powers to cover land such as the recreation ground so that people allowing their dogs to foul could be prosecuted.

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