Enough is enough, it would seem.
Despite trying to deal with the issue in an informal way, continual dog messing on graves and abusive behaviour by some pet owners is forcing the council’s hand.
Measures to ensure dogs are kept on leads and dog mess is cleaned up in the grounds of Bath & North East Somerset Council-owned cemeteries are being consulted on.
The move is a last resort in response to repeated reports of dogs off leads, which in some cases have led to visitors and staff facing abusive behaviour and dog mess left on graves.
And it follows attempts to address the problems without having to introduce formal powers by carrying out social media campaigns, improving signage, and staff talking to dog owners.
The council is now consulting on a Public Space Protection Order, which would require owners to keep their dogs on a lead of two metres or less and immediately remove dog mess, ensuring that cemeteries remain safe and clean for visitors.
Councillor Manda Rigby, cabinet member for Communications and Community, said: “It’s disappointing that despite repeated efforts to raise public awareness, we continue to experience a significant problem with some owners allowing their dogs to run free in cemetery grounds. It’s not the dogs but their owners who are causing this problem for other people.
“It is not acceptable that visitors and staff have experienced aggressive behaviour from dogs and we are concerned about the serious safety risks for the animals too, as there have been instances where dogs have been off-lead near staff who are using heavy machinery.
“We welcome responses to our consultation from residents, cemetery visitors and anyone who is concerned about the environment in our cemeteries.”
If the PSPO is introduced, anyone breaking its regulations would receive a Fixed Penalty Notice of £100, which could increase to £1,000 if the case goes to court.
The PSPO would apply in the following locations:
- Locksbrook Cemetery, Bath
- Harptree Cemetery, East Harptree
- St. Michael’s Cemetery, Bath
- Smallcombe Cemetery, Bath
- St. James Cemetery, Bath
- Twerton Cemetery, Bellotts Rd, Bath
People can respond to the consultation on the council website
Just to note, the link given for contributing to the consultation does not work.
We live on a small holding and have suffered daily – especially during the holiday period – from dog owners treating our small holding as a dog exercise area where they attack chickens, sometimes killing one, and frighten the horses.
We have copious signage, but it is ignored by a small aggressive minority with a strong sense of their own entitlement to do whatever they like.
Penalties and rigorous enforcement is the only answer. To expect ‘social media’ to deter people like this is patently ridiculous.
It would be such a shame if all the immaculately pristine graves in Locksbrook cemetery were damaged by a few dogs.
Why not apply it to all BANES cemeteries (I have witnessed similar bad behaviour at Midsomer Norton cemetery, for example)? Limit access to guide and assistance dogs only, which should have to be kept on short leads.
Dog ownership has not decreased, but the second dog warden in the area was abolished a few years ago.
If you are an owner who doesn’t clear up after your dog when it’s off the lead, why would you bother if it’s on a lead?
My father is in a War Grave with Mum’s ashes interred within. So the family have been visiting the grave for 83 years. Mum visited weekly up to her death and I have taken over the responsibility. Recently the Council locked the gate to cars so now we have difficulty on visiting. There is limited car parking facilities at Locksbrook Cemetery and limited car parking facilities close. So now in my eighties it is difficult task we could do without. Incidentally I have not witnessed cars or dogs damaging any monuments. So another fantasy from Amanda. Shame on the council especially on those who paid the ultimate price in both World Wars.