A blind woman has called for clutter and rubbish to be removed from an east London borough's streets after her guide dog severed its heel on smashed glass.
Janet Alder, 65, from Ewell, faces Christmas alone while her trusty companion recovers from an operation at an animal hospital in London.
Angie, a three-year-old Labrador, cut her paw while guiding her owner home last month and endured agony as an infection spread to her leg.
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Mrs Alder, whose sight first deteriorated 30 years ago, is having to negotiate her way around the borough using only a walking cane.
The retired nurse and midwife said she often encounters safety hazards caused by overhanging branches, caf chairs and litter.
She has previously reported broken glass to the council and now wants more regular street cleaning services in Epsom and Ewell.
She told the Guardian: "I have always said I won't let hazards put me off going to Stoneleigh Broadway.
"But I'm absolutely devastated this could happen to my dog.
"It has made me afraid of taking her back in case there are more bits of glass.
"I know the people responsible youths who are not better occupied. But I still feel the council could be doing more to make my life easier."
Council workers clean the pavements of Stoneleigh Broadway with a mechanical sweeper three days a week, though private owners are responsible for shop fronts.
A spokesman said the council emphasised the importance of maintaining clean streets and said it employed litter pickers to monitor the area.
But the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, which matches 700 people a year with guide dogs, said
local authorities need more awareness of items that may endanger blind people.
It has started a national safer streets campaign this month to prevent exactly the kind of injury suffered by Angie.
A spokesman for the charity said: "Blind and partially-sighted people rely on guide dogs for their freedom, mobility and independence.
"It is extremely concerning that Mrs Alder's dog was injured on broken glass. People need to be realise the pain their actions can cause."
Readers who want to report broken glass or other safety hazards can call the Epsom and Ewell contact centre on 01372 732 000.
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