| Although details were sketchy, police confirmed officers went to the encampment this morning to reprimand the animal’s owner after a complaint was filed.
A spokeswoman for the force said, “The owner of the dog was warned.”
The news comes after it emerged staff at nearby Dundee Airport had already lodged a complaint with police about the travellers over fears their litter could attract seagulls and pose a threat to aircraft.
Airport fire safety officer Andrew Lindsay said today the type of rubbish being dropped at the encampment was a safety concern.
A council squad was deployed to clean up the mess created by the travellers yesterday after concerns were raised about both the litter and the seagulls it could attract.
Mr Lindsay said he welcomed the clean- up operation as a way of helping keep the skies safe.
He said, “The situation with the travellers is something we are fully aware of. We have been from the moment these people arrived and we have contacted the police.
“We patrol the airport regularly and our biggest concern is foreign object debris like rubbish, but thankfully it has not been too windy recently so it’s not been much of a problem.
“We would also be looking out for an increase in the number of birds, but again, we do that regularly anyway.”
Around 20 caravans rolled into a car park at Riverside Business Park, adjacent to the former Scottish Water premises close to the airport, earlier this week and dumped rubbish on the site.
City council chief executive David Dorward deployed the rapid response team to clear up the mess following worries about an increase in rubbish bringing more seagulls to the airport.
A council spokesman said, “The rapid response team was at Riverside yesterday because of the potential of the rubbish to attract birds that might bring to cause trouble for the airport.
“We will go back to the site again if we are required to.”
It is understood legal action is being taken by the landowner at Riverside to remove the large encampment.
The travellers have apparently ignored a notice that gave them 24 hours to move on and now legal steps are being taken to have them evicted.
The encampment at Riverside is one of the largest seen this year in Dundee and is the fifth major gathering of travellers, who have caused controversy and attracted criticism.
Groups of travellers have previously set up at Birkhill, Stannergate and Dunsinane over the summer, usually to the dismay of neighbours.
A gathering of travellers earlier this month on ground near Birkhill Cemetery, which is owned by the local authority, left behind rubbish, rotten food and human and canine waste.
More caravans then appeared on a site at Stannergate next to the city's port and further along in Riverside Avenue.
West End councillor Fraser Macpherson yesterday urged travellers to use the site provided for them by the local authority at Balmuir Wood near Tealing. |
