A north-east woman has warned parents and fellow dog owners to be vigilant for “disgraceful” broken bottles smashed on popular walkways.
Peterhead courier Sarah O’Neill was walking her pooch Fatboy along the shore in the town’s Gadle Braes area when his paw was badly slashed by a broken bottle.
The two-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier – who was rushed to the vet for treatment – suffers from diabetes which means the wound will heal more slowly than usual.
Last night Miss O’Neill sent out a strong message to anyone who deliberately breaks glass bottles on paths used by families and pet owners.
“It was on the promenade and there are vodka and beer bottles smashed on the steps down onto the rocks,” she said. “People leave their bottles lying or smash them there.
“I walk my dog on the promenade every day, and when he ran to the bin where you dispose of dog mess he slashed his paw open on broken glass.”
The wound sustained by Fatboy was almost an inch long and “kept bleeding for hours”. The incident happened near the junction with Ives Road.
“Kids play down there as well – it’s a disgrace,” the canine lover added. “Heaps of people sit down there on the benches drinking, despite the fact they can get fined.
“People shouldn’t be drinking in public anyway, and certainly not disposing of glass that way. It’s not just one or two bottles, there’s beer and vodka and all sorts. It’s a disgrace.”
Miss O’Neill posted about Fatboy’s injury on social media as a warning to other dog walkers, and the photograph sparked a strong response.
Other pet owners echoed her concerns. One woman wrote: “Drinking and smashing the bottles – nae respect for dogs or children.”
And another added: “It’s disgraceful them drinking down there as not only our dogs get cut but it will be a child next, something should be done.”
Many others warned of areas worth avoiding in the town due to broken bottles.
