GOVERNORS at two Huntingdonshire schools have had to embark on a clean-up operation to rid the footpaths outside the buildings of dog mess. Parents, governors, staff and pupils at Ramsey Spinning Infants and Ramsey Junior School said they are so fed up wi

GOVERNORS at two Huntingdonshire schools have had to embark on a clean-up operation to rid the footpaths outside the buildings of dog mess.

Parents, governors, staff and pupils at Ramsey Spinning Infants and Ramsey Junior School said they are so fed up with the foul mess that they have been forced to take action.

Armed with detergent, rubber gloves and brushes, school governors have started a clean-up of School Lane and Station Road, which leads from the infant to the junior school.

Peter Reeve, a parent governor at both schools, told The Hunts Post he had received a number of complaints from parents.

"Parents contacted governors saying they were fed up with the amount of dog mess being left on the paths outside the school gates. So, rather than sitting around and complaining, we decided to do something about it."

He said the clean-up started on Monday and will continue on a weekly basis until dog-owners learn to be more responsible.

Mr Reeve, who lives in Meadow Walk, Ramsey, said: "Hopefully our high profile campaign and dog mess clean-up will make pet owners more aware of the inconvenience they are causing. This is a general problem in the town but we are really concerned about the mess outside the school as it upsets the children."

He blames the cold weather for the increase in fouling outside the school gates, believing that, instead of walking their dogs to nearby fields, owners are allowing them to "do their business as quickly as possible" wherever that may be.

In a further bid to curb the mess, children are designing posters to be put up around the school and surrounding area. Mr Reeve added: "Hopefully we will make dog owners feel guilty about the mess their pets are leaving behind."

Huntingdonshire District Council dog wardens have the power to issue £75 on the spot fines (£50 if you pay within 10 days), but if prosecuted, dog owners who fail to clear up after their pets, can be hit with a fine of up to £1,000.

INFORMATION: To report dog fouling on public footpaths contact HDC on 01480 388266. Clean-up bags are also available from council offices, pet shops and veterinary surgeries.