VISITORS and residents on a Scottish island have been warned about dogs fouling burial grounds following a spate of incidents in cemeteries.
The message comes from North Ayrshire Council, which is urging dog owners to show respect when in Arran.
North Ayrshire Council is responsible for 45 cemeteries and churchyards, including seven on Arran.
Signs have recently been installed at a number of Arran facilities after the council’s Streetscene teams received reports of dogs – while being walked by their owners – being allowed to foul and urinate on top of graves, extendable leads toppling headstones or damaging surroundings, and grass being left stained and unsightly.
Councillor Tony Gurney, the council's cabinet member for the green environment and economy, has sent a message to the “minority” who are failing to respect the rules.
He said: “We are appealing to the minority of irresponsible dog owners to respect our cemeteries as a result of complaints being received. We know that cemeteries offer a tempting place for people to walk their pets because they are enclosed and secure.
“However, when doing so we would expect those walking their dogs to act responsibly.
"There have been instances where people haven’t cleaned up after their pet properly, and the resulting mess can be very upsetting for people who then visit a grave to maintain it or pay their respects to a loved one.
“Dogs should not be allowed onto the grass in cemeteries to run around, however they can be walked on the footpaths as long as they are on an appropriate length of lead. We have received some distressing complaints from people visiting graves and we are asking dog owners and walkers to be respectful – and most already are.”
The rules on the Bereavement Services signs state:
- Leads must be no longer than 1.5m
- No extendable leads are permitted at any time
- Dogs are not allowed on the grass and
- Cemetery grounds can’t be used to exercise dogs and
- Those in charge of a dog must clean up any excrement immediately and dispose of it responsibly.
Please visit North Ayrshire Council's website to report dog fouling or a full dog bin.
The council can issue a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of £80 for dog fouling.
A £30 penalty can also be issued to dog owners who refuse to leave cemetery grounds when asked to do so or refuse to keep their pet on a lead/return it to a lead. Repeat offenders can be banned from a cemetery for 12 months.
If you need to contact the Council’s Bereavement Services, call 01294 310000.
