An Arbroath man has hit out at vandals who regularly leave broken glass strewn across the town’s pavements after his dog needed stitches to a cut foot.
John Henderson said broken bottles and discarded glasses were making the West Port area a danger zone for pets and children.
Angus Council has defended its street-cleaning regime and said locals should play their part in keeping the streets clean and free of danger.
Mr Henderson, 66, who lives in nearby Russell Square, uses Keptie Street regularly and said broken glass was becoming an almost daily issue.
“It is just everywhere, particularly outside the pubs and leading down to the corner with Catherine Street,” he said.
“It’s impossible to avoid, and although there are some big bits it’s also in tiny shards which you can’t really see.
“If you’re out walking at night you just don’t see it at all, you just hear the crunch under your feet.”
His six-year-old rescue dog, Louise, has twice been cut by broken glass in recent months.
“On one occasion she had to get stitches in her paws,” said Mr Henderson.
“This is a busy street so it could be a hazard to a lot of people, dogs and kids.
“It’s especially bad around the weekends.
“The street is a lot cleaner because there’s no bulk rubbish lying around, compared to the likes of Dundee, but I just don’t understand why people smash so much glass here.
“There’s no need for it and they should realise the problems they are causing.”
An Angus Council spokesman said: “We undertake comprehensive street cleaning daily in the West Port area, by way of a member of staff with a barrow and a mechanical sweeper service, with the exception of Saturdays.
“On Saturdays, our staff will empty litter bins and clean up any significant accumulations of litter, particularly broken glass.
The spokesman added: “We would still encourage people to play their part in keeping our streets clean and safe by acting responsibly and not dropping litter, including glass, and making best use of the available litter bins.”
