Broken glass in playground

Debbie Benzies of Mistley Close says she is "disgusted" that shards of glass she reported are still lying in the grass in the play area on Seabourne Road - two weeks after her complaint.

Debbie visited the playground with her 10 month old baby Brooke and her neighbour Dina Amer who was with her 4 year old daughter Cherise.

She took her six month old border collie with her, aware of a sign outside the playground that owners must clear up mess or face a fine.

The group had been there for a while when Debbie noticed her dog's paw was bleeding "really badly" with broken glass all over it.

She then found pieces of green glass on the ground before taking the dog to the vet's to receive five stitches under sedation at a cost of 180.

She contacted Rother District Council as soon as possible to suggest the glass be removed or the park be closed to the public but two weeks later claimed no action had been taken and the glass still there.

Instead she was advised by Head of Amenities Madeleine Gorman that dogs were not allowed in the playground in the first place - the law having changed on July 1, and the incident taking place the day after.

Debbie said: "I was concerned about other children playing there - if they fell over on the glass what would happen?

"It's two weeks later and the glass is still there.

"I find it disgusting. It is down to neglect."

Madeleine Gorman commented: "Ms Benzies brought the matter of broken glass that had been left in the Seabourne Road play area to the Councils attention last week.

"A Council Officer visited the site later the same day and removed a small piece of glass close to the litter bin.

"Ms Benzies subsequently wrote to claim compensation for an injury to her dog that she states occurred from the glass inside the play area and then telephoned to advise that the glass was still present some days later.

"Ms Benzie has been made aware that dogs are not permitted in childrens play areas.

"The Councils senior parks officer visited the site when Ms Benzies reported that glass was still present but was unable to find any.

"The play area has now been carefully inspected twice and continues to be checked and litter picked every day to confirm that the area presents no danger to children.

"Members of the public are asked to report any items that might cause injury in parks and open spaces on 01424 787500."