From the Courier
Two dogs attacked a Courier reporter at a controversial illegal encampment of Travellers in Dundee.
The episode was described as ''quite disgraceful'' by the city's leading councillor, who added ''as soon as they leave Dundee the better for everyone''.
Reporter Craig McManamon went with photographer Kris Miller to the site off South Road to ask the Travellers, who were served with a notice to quit several days ago, when they would actually be leaving.
Before any of the itinerants emerged from the group of caravans, two dogs suddenly sprang out. Untethered and without collars they leapt for Craig and sank their teeth into his trouser legs.
It was only when our men retreated about 20 metres that they stopped. As they regained their composure, Craig found that his trouser leg was torn but was relieved that the mongrels' sharp teeth had not punctured his skin.
The Travellers set up their illegal camp on the council-owned land behind the Lynch Centre and the Sterling furniture store on July 27.
Earlier, they had heeded a legal warning to quit the former Scottish Water site off Riverside Drive, but rather than depart the city, had brazenly bolted to another unguarded area less than a mile away.
Councillors voiced their anger and frustration at the ''cat-and-mouse'' game the unwelcome visitors were playing with the authorities, and called for national politicians to bring in tougher laws against illegal encampments.
Dundee City Council served the campers with a 24-hour notice to quit on Monday July 31. When that call was ignored they went to court to ask for a sheriff to issue a formal legal order demanding that they leave immediately.
Legal wheels move slowly, however, and yesterday the sheriff clerk's office said the case is not due to go to a sheriff until August 20, more than three full weeks after their arrival.
The Travellers' unlawful occupation is causing problems in the wider community.
People in neighbouring Charleston and Menzieshill are prevented from using the green open space and those affected may also include amateur footballers who might not be able to play on the South Road pitch at the opening of their season this weekend.
These developments demanded a further approach to the Travellers to find out why they were continuing to stay on and not head for the council's under-used official site at Balmuir Wood, but the dangerously roaming dogs made that impossible.
Commenting on the attack, Ken Guild, leader of Dundee's SNP administration, said; ''This is quite disgraceful. The Travellers here are obviously showing no social responsibility and seem to think they are above and beyond the law, but no one is above the law.
''I'm very sorry to hear of this attack which would seem to be a case of failure to keep dogs under control. What it if was a child or an older person walking along the public embankment and suddenly finding themselves in an illegal camp of travelling people with dogs roaming around?
''I will be speaking to our MSPs about the situation to see of the process for dealing with illegal encampments can be speeded up.
''It is quite obvious this particular group are giving the rest of the travelling people community a bad name. Unfortunately this situation doesn't seem to bother them. As soon as they leave Dundee the better for everyone.''
see also: The Courier - Police probe into dog attacks near Dundee Travellers' site
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