INFURIATED dog walkers say a popular path in Plymouth has been left ruined after fly-tippers struck earlier this week.
Several bags of waste, plastic bottles and fast food takeaway boxes were found strewn across a path in Blagdon's Meadow, off Embankment Road, by a member of the public on Tuesday.
It is not the first time that the nature reserve has been targeted by fly-tippers, however, after a separate incident was noted just a few months ago.
Speaking to The Herald, the dog walker - who has asked not to be named - said it was "disgusting" people continue to blight Plymouth's nature with harmful refuge.
"It's not on," she said. "There is no excuse for this sort of anti-social behaviour. Whoever has done this should go to the dump and pay their rates, like we all do.
"There was another instance around two months ago. It might not be the same people, but it is a real concern for us, as dog walkers, and members of the public who wish to walk through here.
"Nobody wants to have to walk past all this rubbish and, considering it's so close to the nature reserve, you have to wonder what sort of negative effect this will have upon the animals and the environment.
"Birds have been pecking at it, and I saw a rat scurry away this morning from the black bin liners."
Aside from the fast food boxes, a number of receipts belonging to Bretonside-based franchise My Fish Bar were also discovered.
A member of staff at the takeaway was unable to explain how the rubbish had ended up at Blagdon's Meadow, but was reluctant to comment any further until he had looked into the matter.
"The staff here wouldn't just dump our rubbish though. There's a company that comes and collects it."
Plymouth City Council are now appealing for any potential witnesses who might have spotted the culprits at Blagdon Meadow - or any other fly-tipping incidents across the city - to come forward.
A spokesperson for Plymouth City Council said: "The fly tipping at Blagdon Meadow has not yet been reported to us so we have now logged this as an incident and we will investigate.
"Fly tipping is one of the most infuriating environmental crimes committed by people who have no thought for others. It is also costly and time consuming, both to clear up and to investigate.
"We would strongly encourage anyone witnessing a fly tipping incident to report it to us by calling 01752 668000 to help us catch and punish the culprits."