A NEAR fatal injury to a pet dog has prompted the owner to urge people into taking more care of their surroundings. Benjy, a 10-month-old Border Colly was being walked along the Flitch Way by his owner when he stepped on a large shard of glass.

A NEAR fatal injury to a pet dog has prompted the owner to urge people into taking more care of their surroundings.

Benjy, a 10-month-old Border Colly was being walked along the Flitch Way by his owner, Bryan Haines, when the pooch stepped on a large shard of glass from a smashed beer bottle.

The young pup sliced open part of his leg and was rushed to the vets for emergency surgery.

Mr Haines said: "It was horrible, there was blood everywhere. I nearly lost him - the whole incident was so traumatic. And all because someone was too lazy to just pick up their rubbish."

Benjy nearly bled to death, but was saved by vets who then landed Mr Haines with a �1000 bill.

Mr Haines, who lives in Highfields, Great Dunmow, says simple things like picking up litter could save the area he lives in and also stop pets going through the same traumatic experience.

"People need to respect their surroundings more," he said. "When walking along areas of natural beauty, or even in town, you shouldn't have to put up with seeing broken glass, household debris and Tesco shopping trolleys.

"There is too much vandalism and spoiling of the area going on."

He feels so strongly about the issue he is taking action by inviting people to join him and help out.

He started with a litter pick last Saturday, just a week after the injury to Benjy, and is planning on more efforts in the future, including joining up with the Friends of the Flitch Way group which already conducts a number of tidy up schemes along the walk.

They support the work of Essex County Council rangers who are responsible for the upkeep of the walk. They are also encouraging people lend a hand.

A council spokesperson said: "Our rangers do everything they can to keep the Flitch Way clean and tidy all year round, but it is impossible to patrol all 15 miles all the time.

"We rely on residents to help us keep it tidy and ask them to take any litter home with them. We would be extremely grateful to any residents who wish to assist us with keeping the Flitch Way tidy, and would ask anyone interested in doing so to contact us directly on 01376 347134."

Pleasant walk or a threat to pets? GIVE us your comments on the state of the Flitch Way. E-mail editor@dunmow-broadcast.co.uk