The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Dog owners accused of being disrespectful People paying their respects are upset at dogs off their leads
Pet owners letting their dogs off leads in an Angus cemetery have been accused of disrespecting the dead.
Mourners want action taken against offenders and have gained the support of a local representative which could lead to a by-law change.
Dog owners are causing upset to people paying their respects at Arbroath’s Western Cemetery with “disgusting, thoughtless and selfish behaviour”.
Mourners are being left devastated by dogs running amok over graves, soiling headstones and knocking down personal mementos despite a sign telling owners to keep pets on leads.
One mourner, who did not wish to be named, said “I’m extremely disappointed that people continue to exercise their dogs in the cemetery.
“Why anyone feels it is acceptable to walk their dogs while mourners are tending to the grave of a loved one is beyond me.
“In my view, it is disgusting, thoughtless and selfish behaviour that is deeply disrespectful to the dead, and those who are grieving.
“There are plenty places to exercise pets, and a cemetery should not be one of them.
“Appealing to the better nature of these people is not going to work and I think the council needs to look at what measures can be taken to stop it.”
Angus councillor David Fairweather previously went public to urge dog owners to show respect after being contacted by grieving families but many have failed to take the message on board.
Mr Fairweather said the current bylaw that dogs should be kept under proper control at all times should be changed.
He will now ask Angus Council to look at changing it as he described the phrasing as “quite woolly”.
He said: “As a council we should look at it again and change it to ‘dogs should be kept on leads at all times’. It can take up to 18 months to change but if we can go ahead then it could act as a deterrent.
“The responsibility is ultimately with dog owners though – do they want to let their dogs run about and upset people visiting passed loved ones or would they rather exercise them on open ground?
“Hercules Den is just along the road from the cemetery and it is a place where they can exercise their dogs without causing any problems to mourners.”
SNP council candidate Donald Morrison said it was “deeply disappointing that some dog owners allow their pet to run free in graveyards”.
He said: “Therefore, I agree that we should revisit the by-laws and signage and if re-elected I will be happy to work with David and others in supporting this.”
An Angus Council spokesman said the vast majority of people who attend at its cemeteries do so with respect and consideration for the departed, their relatives and friends, as well as for the memorials and gardens – but to behave in any other way was “unacceptable”.