Dogs, in general, have been a blessing for humanity – loyal, fun-loving companions who help us reconnect with both nature and the simpler physical pleasures of being.

And it is rare indeed to find an example of a dog causing harm or nuisance without the fault turning out to actually lie with the owner.

So it is with the problem of dog fouling that is sadly once again reaching unacceptable levels in Otley.

It may indeed be a slight inconvenience for owners, especially in bad weather, to have to scoop up, bag and then properly dispose of their pet’s waste.

But that is as nothing compared to the anti-social consequences of leaving it where it falls.

Anyone who has trodden in the stuff or noticed with horror that it is sticking to their shoes as they enter a home, car, school or shop will attest to that.

Let alone the more serious health concerns of parents should their children accidentally come in contact with waste that simply should not be on our streets.

Looking after a dog is a privilege, and one that comes with responsibilities which include – unless you truly live in the wilds – clearing up their mess once you venture beyond your own garden.

Until all dog owners, and not just the responsible majority, realise that then we will continue to need campaigns like Otley’s muck:up! to, hopefully, shame them into doing the right thing.

But the issue also has wider ramifications for the image of the town. We reported this week on the encouraging news that the prominently positioned Black Horse Hotel may well be trading again in time for the summer visit of the Tour de France – good news indeed.

Such advances will be wasted, however, if Otley still has dog mess lying around when the world’s spotlight turns on it on Saturday, July 5.

Extra homes bring schooling questions

Headteachers are not usually known for their alarmist views – so when they warn of a possible impending crisis in school places it behoves all of us to take them seriously.

Representative from the Otley family of schools – which also covers Bramhope, Pool and Adel – have told their MP they are worried about the impact of about 2,000 new homes expected to be built in the area.

All those extra homes will mean more children – and those children will need school places, in a system which is already under pressure.

Against that background it does seem surprising that Leeds City Council has sold the caretaker’s house at Bramhope Primary – despite a suggestion it could be used for nursery classes to help free up more space within the school for extra pupils.

It will be interesting to see what the council has to say on the matter and on the wider issue of how schools in the area are to cope if the extra houses are built.