A dogwalker has told how a ‘hideous’ telegraph pole outside her bungalow is leaking toxic bitumen all over her driveway – which gets on her Labrador’s paws.
Elaine Brown, of Ivybridge, Devon, said the new 25ft BT mast was erected this summer – but hot weather has caused the harmful substance bitumen to leak from it.
Bitumen can be toxic to dogs if they chew on it or absorb it through their skin, making Ms Brown fear for the safety of Freddy, her beloved three-year-old dog.
To make matters worse, Ms Brown claims telecoms workers tried to fix the issue by patching up the pole with an ‘eyesore’ covering.
The homeowner is the latest in a string of residents across the UK to tell about their telegraph pole nightmares, with many claiming the masts have ruined their view or even blocked driveways.
Ms Brown, who lives in a dog walking area, said she fears for the welfare of her Labrador when the hot weather returns and the pole starts leaking again, claiming she has tried everything to have it replaced.
‘During hot weather it leaks bitumen over my drive, picked up by Labrador returning from a walk,’ she told .
‘The whole pole hasn’t been left to dry before it was put on. It just trickles across the whole driveway.
Bitumen is a petroleum-based hydrocarbon used in road construction, roofing, and flooring.
Exposure to the substance can cause acute health effects, such as eye and skin irritation and nausea.
However, chronic health effects include lung cancer, skin contamination, and cardiovascular and immunotoxic effects.
For dogs especially, bitumen is extremely harmful and should not come into contact with them.
If ingested, it can be toxic and lead to serious health issues, including skin irritation, burns, vomiting, and even internal damage.
‘I’m very careful when I get him out the car and take him across the grass.’
She added: ‘As soon as the temperature goes above 18C it will start to leak.’
Ms Brown fears the bitumen – which she described as ‘very pungent’ – is also a danger to people, adding it is impossible to get off clothes.
‘You can’t get it off your coat, I’ve tried everything,’ she said.
‘Nothing has been done.
‘It’s been reported as another problem but nothing has been done.
‘It’s a danger to other people – it’s not just dogs.’
has contacted Openreach for comment.
Ms Brown’s fears come just weeks after another homeowner told how their picturesque countryside view has been ruined by an ugly telegraph pole.
Jo Heartfield, of Cheshire East, is a photographer who enjoys snapping images of the rolling fields from her kitchen window.
That was until telecoms workers allegedly turned up on October 7 and erected the pole directly in line of her view and opposite a small country lane.
Ms Heartfield also fears the huge mast will blow onto her house in the event of a storm.
Speaking to , Ms Heartfield said: ‘It’s awful. I have two windows and it’s [outside] both of them.
‘This used to be a beautiful view and as a photographer I take a lot of photos of the landscape in that direction, every time I do now I have to edit the pole out.’