BRADENTON — Officials Monday decided to step up enforcement of anti-littering laws as a means of dealing with riders who fail to clean up after their horses along the Palma Sola Causeway.

The group of local and state officials also decided to erect signs urging horseback riders to clean up after their animals.

The causeway has become a popular spot for horseback riding over the last few years, in part because it is one of the few places in the state that allows it along an easily-accessible beach, officials said.

But with increasing popularity has come problems, too. Neighbors have been complaining and e-mailing pictures of unsightly manure left behind on the causeway’s walkways.

“I’m going to say we’re just working on it,” concluded Bradenton City Councilman Gene Gallo, who chaired the meeting attended by city, state and Keep Manatee Beautiful representatives.

Gallo said he intended to report the results of the meeting to the Bradenton City Council.