A disgusted mum has claimed that dog mess in an alleyway used by schoolchildren is endangering their health, and has demanded action.

Claire Fellingham, mum of nine-year-old twin boys and a seven-year-old girl whom she walks to school through the alleyway filled with dog mess, has urged Merton Council to crack down on irresponsible owners.

Mrs Fellingham, who uses the alley between Camborne Road and Hillcross Avenue every day while walking from their home in Cherrywood Lane to Hatfeild Primary School, said: “My children’s health is compromised by walking to school.

“Some of it is naivety and some of it is pure laziness...nobody out there wants to think their dog’s faeces caused a child to go blind.”

She said the case of Amiee Langdon – a Manchester toddler who was left partially blind in one eye when she wiped her eye with dog mess in a playground in August – showed the importance of tackling the problem.

Mrs Effingham said parents had first asked the council to deal with the issue about six months ago, and wanted CCTV or regular patrols in the alleyway to deter offenders – and also claimed a dog mess bin put in by the council was overflowing with waste. She urged those who did not clean up after their pets to “realise their responsibilities as dog owners”.

Merton Council leader Councillor Stephen Alambritis said the problem was being monitored.

He said: “We are working hard with residents on responsible dog ownership.

“Our current series of roadshows means we get to speak to dog owners and dog walkers about keeping our streets and parks dog mess free.

“Merton has more than 330 bins specifically for dog waste, including a new one in this particular alleyway.

“We will ensure the bin is regularly emptied so people can easily dispose of dog waste properly.

“We will be making extra efforts in this area with enforcement.”

Two-year-old Amiee is likely to lose 75 per cent of the sight in one eye after she got dog mess in her eye while playing in a park last month.

Her mother, Suzanne, launched a campaign encouraging owners to clean up after their dogs on September 20.

She said: “Amiee’s condition is the consequence of a thoughtless dog owner. How can I explain to a two-year-old she will be unable to see out of one eye ever again?

“I just want to raise awareness and make people think about what their dogs leave behind.”

Mrs Effingham, who owns a West Highland terrier called Polly, believes more education is needed.

She said: “If you could get it cleaned up it would make a massive difference for children walking to school.

“We need more modern and hygienic dog bins.”