Fine litter lout who maimed my pooch
THERE should be draconian punishments for the thoughtless morons who drop litter. I exercise my two cocker spaniels, Monty and Toffee, in woodland that is relatively unscathed by the scourge of litter louts and fly-tipping. I also take them to Long Rock Beach in Swalecliffe. This stretch of coastline between Whitstable and Herne Bay on the Saxon Shore Way is a nature reserve. It is a favoured spot for dog walkers and bird watchers because it is a tranquil area between two busy promenades. However, Whitstable has been invaded by day trippers who don’t take their rubbish home with them. The beach looks like a council waste tip with broken glass and bottles among the rubbish. Monty went exploring in Swalecliffe Brook and emerged with the pad of his paw almost sliced in two. The injury required stitching under general anaesthetic. The vet’s bill is £500, but worse is the suffering caused to a much-loved pet. Litter campaigns to clean up after the anti-social element are commendable, but action needs to be taken to prevent people from fouling our countryside in the first place. If I don’t clear up after my dogs, I could face an instant fixed penalty of £80. Could something similar be put in place so beach wardens can enforce the removal of litter?
MALCOLM JOSLYN, Whitstable, Kent. CONGRATULATIONS to the Daily Mail for once again campaigning about the problem of litter. For many years, I have picked up roadside rubbish at least twice a week along a half-mile stretch of a country lane outside my home. On one occasion, a large bag of takeaway cartons and cans were thrown out of a vehicle as the driver shouted: ‘There’s some more for you!’ The only solution is to educate children in the hope they will grow into responsible adults who will dispose of rubbish in bins or take it home.
Mrs MYRA COPE, Crewe, Cheshire. WHAT possesses people to discard pizza boxes, cans, bottles and now masks and plastic gloves? The beautiful green space near my home is blighted with litter. The council clears it up regularly, but it’s a growing problem. Let’s put the emphasis on ‘don’t drop litter’ rather than ‘let’s clear it up’.
LYNNE DORFF, Harrow, Middlesex.