ANIMALS on Dartmoor have been put at risk again by two more thoughtless incidents of fly tipping.
Now tippers have been warned that it is only a matter of time before they are caught.
The latest piles of rubbish – which could poison cattle, sheep or ponies – have been left in the Hemsworthy Gate area between Haytor and Widecombe.
In the first pile is flat-roofing material and some hedge cuttings, while the second mixes painting and decorating utensils – glue, brushes and rollers – garden material and non-returnable
sandbags.
Bill Allen, Dartmoor National Park ranger, said he was
following up some leads as to where the rubbish may have come from.
But he is appealing to the public to be vigilant. if people see anyone behaving suspiciously on the moor, take the number of the vehicle and contact the police or the national park headquarters on 01626 832093.
Mr Allen wants people to see the pictures he has supplied and ask themselves if they recognise any of the dumped material – have any workmen removed it from their home, claiming they were taking it to the tip?
'My main concern, apart from the visual side, is the moorland animals,' he said.
'There is vegetation there which is wholly inappropriate for animals to eat. I'm really infuriated by it.' But he warned tippers: 'it's only a matter of time before we catch up with you.'
This fresh outbreak of tipping follows the dumping of a load of poisonous laurel leaves on open moorland between Haytor and Manaton last month.
Mike Nendick, park authority communications officer, said one thoughtless action could cause incredible suffering and death to cattle, sheep and ponies. 'It is a stupid thing to do,' he said. 'Fly tipping is a huge problem for the national park, particularly on the edges where people seem to dump stuff that would cost them money to get rid of.'