Dog Owners' Grave Warning
Dog Owners' Grave Warning
CEMETERY-WALKING dog owners who allow their animals to foul graves and headstones are to be targeted by enforcement officers.
Northumberland County Council is stepping up patrols to combat an increase in reported incidents of dog fouling and owners failing to keep dogs on leads in cemeteries.
Enforcement Officers will be on patrol in cemeteries where dog owners have been sighted allowing their dogs to roam around cemetery grounds.
Council cemeteries are subject to dog control orders which require dogs to be kept on a short lead, not more than 1.5 meters in length, at all times and must be under control. An extendable lead is not permitted.
As in all other public places, it is an offense to allow a dog to foul and not clean up. Signs at all the entrances to the cemetery instruct dog owners to keep their dogs on leads.
The council has received an increasing number of complaints of dogs fouling in cemeteries, especially in the Bedlington and Blyth area and say this is particularly distressing for those visiting the graves of loved ones.
Enforcement officers will be patrolling across Northumberland, with a zero-tolerance policy. Failure to comply with this requirement is an offense for which owners would receive an on the spot PS100 fixed penalty fine or may be prosecuted and fined up to PS1,000 by the courts.
Northumberland county councilor Glen Sanderson, cabinet member with responsibility for the environment and local services, said: "Most responsible dog walkers observe the signs and ensure their dogs are kept under control within the cemetery grounds, but an inconsiderate minority need to be reminded that a cemetery is a place for reflection and remembrance, not a recreation area or a place to exercise dogs.
"Such anti-social and irresponsible behavior on the part of dog owners is profoundly disrespectful within a cemetery where families have buried loved ones."
Stephen Kelly, senior cemeteries team leader, said: "It's very upsetting for people who are coming to visit their loved ones' graves and they are finding dog mess there. We have had people contact us because they are upset that dogs are running around the cemetery when they are trying to pay their respects to loved ones
