Angry walkers as Accrington woodland trashed with ‘vile’ takeaway food

While on a walk with her dog, Paige Bethany Mallabourn-Edmondson came across three hot dogs left on the walls of Arden Hall leading to The Coppice.

Paige slammed the actions of the people responsible for leaving processed food littered in the woodland, highlighting the harm these foods can cause to dogs and other wild animals.

She added that loaves of bread and doughnuts are among the items that she has come across during her two to three walks a week in the area in the area, urging people to stop littering.

Hotdogs on the walls of Arden Hall (Image: Paige Bethany Mallabourn-Edmondson)

Paige said: “I wouldn’t feed these to anyone, they are vile.

"Dogs will take these without a thought and they are not good for them! Put them in a bin or donate them if you don’t want them.

“I don’t think anyone wants their dogs eating processed hot dog sausages and doughnuts. With that in mind I don’t think foxes should eat those either.”

Responding to the Paige’s plea, one resident shared that she saw around 50 raw chicken carcasses left on Arden Hall field, adding she believes a takeaway nearby may be responsible.

She wrote: “I was furious. My dogs thankfully didn't sniff them out, but others did. I mean, who even has 50 chicken carcasses to get rid of?”

Others came to the defence of the people leaving leftover food out saying, it’s needed for animals foraging, however Councillor for Barnfield ward, June Harrison, has responded to the situation, stating that no food should be left out at The Coppice at any time adding that she will notify the council to put up notices around the area.

Cllr Harrison said: “The problem that is noticeable is when cars park outside Arden Hall and the owners have takeaways, they just throw the packaging and leftovers out the window.

"I often come along with other residents clean up the mess.”

The RSPCA states people should resist feeding wildlife too much as they may become too dependent on non-natural food supplies which would change their natural behaviours.

However, feeding them occasionally during the winter is acceptable in your own garden.

The RSCPA said: “Food is often hard for wild animals to find at this time of year, so leaving out small amounts of food for birds and wild animals is a great way of helping them through the next few months until spring.

“You can leave areas of your garden 'wild' with long grass and lots of fallen leaves to provide shelter for wildlife and encourage insects and spiders."