Wild camping litter louts are bringing misery to nature lovers by leaving dangerous rubbish strewn across the countryside.
Angry nature lovers have claimed pets have been seriously injured due to discarded trash left by careless campers using the Lunan Valley, between Blairgowrie and Dunkeld.
One dog had an artery slashed after being skewered by glass, while another was left in agony after chewing on discarded bait with a barbed hook still attached.
A concerned resident, who asked not to be named, said: “Here in Scotland we have a law which states access with responsibility.
“Sadly, the access is frequently taken, but the responsibility is ignored.
“We are extremely fortunate to live in a beautiful part of the world and the Lunan Valley, between Blairgowrie and Dunkeld is a very special place.
“Why do thoughtless people spoil it by discarding litter where, on verges, it costs precious council tax money to clear up, and on loch sides it causes damage to wildlife and pets?”
There have also been issues with loch trees and gates being removed for firewood, while gates left open allow cattle to stray on to nearby roads.
The resident stated that the variety of litter has included “broken bottles, plastic, beer cans and camping equipment”.
They added: “Dog poo is unpleasant, human poo, plus soiled paper is quite disgusting, but frequently encountered.
“Any responsible camper carries a trowel so that such things can be buried.
“We have had to destroy a bird that was completely entangled in fishing line and, last week, worst of all, a dog ate some discarded bait which had the barbed hook still attached.
“This caused great suffering to the animal, necessitated a general anaesthetic and several days of recovery.
“It could easily have resulted in her death. The few are destroying the very things we all love.”
The complaints come as Scottish ministers are being asked to back new curbs on Scotland’s access laws.
The board of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park has passed plans for a ban on camping without a permit in areas of the park.
Blairgowrie and Glens Conservative councillor Caroline Shiers said: “I am not sure that there is an easy solution to this problem and most people who go out to enjoy the countryside in Perthshire do so in a very responsible manner.
“I will raise these issues with Perth and Kinross Council who frequently send squads out to clear litter from the roadside verges and other hotspots and work with local landowners to try and address problems as they arise.”