A BRIDPORT dog-owner is hitting out at vandals who left bins upturned and threw glass and dog poo across paths in Asker Meadows.

Karen Alderson-Rees, 52, of Howard Road, Bridport, said she was angered when she discovered bins had been ripped out of the ground and plants had been destroyed at the popular site.

She said: “We were out walking the dogs on Saturday and saw that vandals had uprooted one of the new bins by the bridge.

“They had strewn glass bottles on the path and there was broken glass, which as you know does not mix with dogs’ paws, and they uprooted the bin by the gate which goes onto the A35.

“There was dog poo all over the place; and they had even pulled up the baby saplings by their roots.”

Mrs Alderson-Rees said council workers were quickly sent out to clean up the rubbish and turn the bins upright again.

She said: “I just don’t understand the mentality of people that do something like that; it’s so thoughtless. As for the animals paws and the lack of concern for animal welfare, it just makes me so cross and leaves me speechless.”

Mrs Alderson-Rees said problems in the Meadows has been increasing since a seating area had been set up by New Zealand Farm Close. She said: “When we walk the dogs in the evening there seems to be a congregation of people there who drink and use drugs.”

“There was always a little bit of mess caused by people walking back from a night out, but the effort it must have taken to rip the bin out of the ground shows it’s malicious.”

Asker Meadows underwent significant renovations in 2012, when Dorset County Council helped fund new bridges, and created a cycle path, public open space and nature reserve.

Bridport Town Cllr Julian May said: “It’s unacceptable and a bit of a shame really.

“Things in the Meadows have been pretty good recently although there is obviously an issue with some dog poo, but I will look into this problem now I’m aware of it.”

Speaking about the new seating, Cllr May said: “There is just something about seating that does seem to attract people who use it as a base for things they shouldn’t be doing, if it’s in the wrong place."

“If there is a persistent problem the town council might look at relocating the seating.”

An open day at the Meadows last weekend discussed future plans for the area with the town council.

Town council surveyor Daryl Chambers said he will be inspecting the damage, adding: “We do not tend to make a big issue of vandalism, we just get on and sort it. We are in talks with the Asker Meadow Nature Reserve Steering Group which met on Wednesday to discuss re-positioning the benches after some concerns were raised following the open day.”