Don’t let dogs foul on graves

Disrespectful dog walkers have been allowing their pets to foul in Crieff Cemetery, according to a community figurehead.

Harry Thomason, chair of Crieff Community Council, said he has been shocked to see pets being given free rein at the Ford Road site as people ignore signs calling for animals to be kept on leads.

And Mr Thomason went on to reveal he was aware of a Perth and Kinross Council staff member allegedly being subjected to verbal abuse on at least one occasion recently when pulling people up over the issue.

Mr Thomason said:“People are using the cemetery disrespectfully.

“People are exercising their dogs there and allowing them to foul.

“I spoke to council workers recently and one of them told me he had spoken to a woman whose dog was off the lead and he just got verbal abuse back.”

The state of the old graveyard, the Commonwealth War Graves section and the entrance of the cemetery was condemned at community council meetings last year.

A plan of action was drawn up by Perth and Kinross Council in July, which included some refurbishment of paths, removal of old timber posts and signs and a general tidy-up and check on trees and overhanging branches.

The local authority stated work would be carried out within six months, but Mr Thomason claims many of the measures have not been implemented.

And with the current crisis putting planned work on hold, Mr Thomason is appealing to those walking through the cemetery to be more respectful of the graveyard, and the old graveyard in particular.

He added:“Obviously it will now take longer to happen but just because it’s in a bad state doesn’t mean it should be treated badly.”

Strathearn ward councillor Rhona Brock said the planned work was not all carried out due to the weather at the time.

And she explained there has been a further delay as coronavirus lockdown restrictions mean much of the work is not deemed essential due to the current circumstances.

However, a fence was erected to prevent intrusion over the graves because a track had formed, which was distressing to families who have loved ones buried in that area.

A Perth and Kinross Council spokesperson said:“A number of works have taken place over the past 12 months, including putting up a new fence along the bottom boundary, removing old posts from the car park and installing new plinths.

“The tap has been repaired and a new blue sign has been installed on the entrance with guidance about control of dogs.

“The proposed new paths have been filled with topsoil and are currently awaiting seeding.

“We are planning more improvements once current restrictions have eased but, in the meantime, we would ask that dog owners keep their dogs under close control within the cemetery and always clean up after them.”