A CARER has criticised the council for not taking immediate action after an exposed metal pole on Dartford Heath tore into her dog's leg.

Margaret McDiarmid's dog Lady needed emergency vet treatment after the piece of metal ripped into her skin.

Lady needed stitches around her knee joint.

Mrs McDiarmid called Dartford Council the day after the incident to report the dangerous object, which was sticking three inches out of the ground.

But on returning to the scene almost a week later she found the piece of metal had not been removed.

The home carer is worried children and pets could be seriously injured if nothing is done.

Mrs McDiarmid was walking her three dogs on the heath with her partner Frank on February 26.

Lady disappeared into a dip to fetch a ball and yelped before emerging covered in blood.

Mrs McDiarmid, of College Road, Hextable, tried to stem the flow of blood with her scarf.

Vets later told her if Lady had not been taken for treatment so quickly her injuries could have been much worse.

Mrs McDiarmid, 60, took a week off work to care for Lady and has spent more than £350 on vet bills so far.

She and her partner tried to remove the metal object but were unsuccessful.

Mrs McDiarmid rang the council and offered to show its staff the walkway where the incident occurred.

Mrs McDiarmid said: "It worries me it could have happened to a child. They could get hurt by this.

"It was very bad. Lady went into shock.

"I reckon if it was a person involved the council would have done more."

A council spokesman said: "Our Heath Ranger has been out with Mrs McDiarmid to inspect the object, which looks to be part of a Second World War gun emplacement.

"We will be making further inquiries about how to remove it or make it safe."