Frightened West End residents have called for action after being menaced and intimidated by dogs at an illegal Traveller encampment.
The Courier has been told that householders surrounding Magdalen Green are staying away from the public park since the arrival of as many as 18 caravans in recent days.
They reported that the dogs have been running free since the Travellers set up a temporary home on the green space, on either side of Riverside Drive.
Park users have called for the police and council dog wardens to take action before someone is hurt.
The Travellers’ stay could be relatively short as Dundee City Council has already issued the two groups with a legal notice demanding that they move on.
That seems likely to be respected by many of the Travellers, who confirmed they had received the notice and said they were only passing through.
One resident contacted The Courier to say: “I walked across the pedestrian footbridge from Magdalan Yard Green shortly after 8 in the morning and was severely intimidated by a barking dog as I descended the steps.
“It appeared to belong to a Traveller’s caravan immediately to the right of the base of the steps.
“I purposely didn’t make eye contact with the dog and managed to clear the area, with the dog barking at my legs and making contact as I passed.
“I looked back from the bridge view area and saw a young woman also being intimidated and breaking into a run to get away and saw another young woman back tracking over the bridge to get away.”
The man said he had contacted Dundee City Council’s dog wardens with his concerns and said he was keen to ensure that “this dog and other dogs on the site are tethered to avoid a biting incident”.
His concerns are shared by city councillor John Alexander.
Mr Alexander said: “I am a local resident and frequently take my dog down to Magdalen Green.
“When there are dogs running loose it is extremely unsettling for dog owners and walkers alike.”
It follows hot on the heels of the establishment of another illegal encampment at Dundee Technology Park.
A number of caravans have been moved on since the start of the year only to be replaced by new arrivals.
It is understood that some of those now situated at Magdalen Green may have been part of the camp at the other site.
One Traveller, who asked not be named, said he had recently arrived from London and had joined a growing number of caravans on Riverside Drive.
“I can’t speak for everyone that’s settled here but now that we’ve received the notice we’ll probably move on and find somewhere else at the end of the week,” he said.
Dundee City Council said: “The council has already started legal action and we have spoken to the travelling community about their dogs.”