EFFORTS to tackle dog fouling in Otley are to be stepped up.

Otley Town Council's Environment and Sustainability Committee agreed on a number of measures to help tackle the problem when it met on Monday, July 10.

They range from increasing the time enforcement officers operate in the town to selling 'poo balls' - plastic play balls that can be opened to store used waste bags - to dog owners.

Council Chair Councillor Ray Georgeson (Lib Dem, Danefield) said: "We will ask Leeds to allocate more days of their available enforcement officers and target some known problem areas for monitoring and possible enforcement activity, including the issuing of Fixed Penalty Notices.

" I'd expect the areas to be targeted to include Wellcroft park, Garnett's Field, Gallows Hill, and Grove Hill park - and I would appeal to residents to get in touch and suggest other problem areas they are aware of.

"We believe Otley has higher than UK average dog ownership and consider that the problem is not as bad as in some places, considering the number of dogs here.

"But where it is a problem it remains unsightly, unhealthy and anti-social behaviour that we know the majority of responsible dog owners also condemn.

"The assistance of residents in using the city council's reporting page on their website, and being vigilant about the anti-social behaviour of irresponsible dog owners, is very much welcomed and encouraged."

Cllr Georgeson added that the council would be buying some Pooballs and selling them from its Otley Core base, on Orchard Gate.

He said: "We will put posters up in places like Gallows Hill to make dog owners aware of this idea.

"It may encourage some of those who bag up their dog's dirt but then leave it hanging off tree branches, for someone else to pick up and dispose of, to take personal responsibility in an easier way that avoids having to carry a full bag of dog poo around on their walks.

"It's a modest measure but I hope some dog owners will respond in the right way!"