Letting your dog roam free in a local cemetery looks likely to cost you a hefty fine. Our council is considering introducing a legal requirement for dogs to be kept on leads in its cemeteries – following persistent issues caused by uncontrolled dogs and dog fouling.
B&NES is proposing a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) which would require dog owners to keep dogs on a lead of no more than two metres and to remove and properly dispose of dog waste.
The proposal follows a public consultation held between 5 January and 2 February this year and comes as a last resort in response to regularly reported issues at council-owned cemeteries.
These include distress caused to mourners, dogs fouling on graves, and inappropriate behaviour towards council staff.
The council has already taken steps to address these issues through signage, awareness-raising campaigns and direct engagement with owners, but owners have not shown sustained change in behaviour as a result.
The proposed PSPO is now being considered as a proportionate and targeted way to protect the dignity and safety of the cemeteries. Dogs would still be permitted within cemetery grounds, but owners would need to adhere to the conditions of the PSPO.
If implemented, breaches of the PSPO could result in a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to £100. The proposal is supported by Avon and Somerset Police.
A report going before Councillor Manda Rigby, Cabinet Member for Communications and Community, for a Single Member Decision includes consultation feedback showing strong consensus that maintaining a peaceful cemetery environment is important. A requirement for owners to clean up after their dogs was supported by 207 of the 220 respondents.
Operational monitoring also recorded significant issues, including 54 dogs off lead in a single day at Locksbrook Cemetery, alongside reports of widespread fouling.
Councillor Manda Rigby said: “It is unfortunate we must consider a legal order as a last resort to address these issues. Our cemeteries are places people should be able to visit in peace and dignity. As a dog lover myself, I understand they can be part of the family, but I regret that access to a place of remembrance for some has turned into a place for unfettered and intrusive behaviour.
“This order is not about banning dogs entirely. It is about ensuring they are kept under control and that these sensitive spaces remain safe and respectful for everyone. Thank you to everyone who took part in the consultation – I will consider all views carefully before making my decision.”
If introduced, the PSPO would apply to:
- Locksbrook Cemetery, Bath
- Harptree Cemetery, East Harptree
- St. Michael’s Cemetery, Bath
- Smallcombe Cemetery, Bath
- St. James Cemetery, Bath
- Twerton Cemetery, Bellotts Rd, Bath
What exactly are the council trying to protect?! Locksbrook cemetery is basically a wild space with a few broken gravestones lying around. Zero maintenance is carried out as far as I can see. I go several times a week and have literally never seen a mourner. This regulation change is petty and unnecessary.
What about Lansdown cemetery? I took flowers up there to put them on my husband and mother’s graves and there was a man with two loose dogs, one of which looked quite aggressive. The man was very abusive when one of the dogs picked up the flowers and ran off with them, apparently I shouldn’t have left them on the ground. Not too sure what I should have done! The next time I went he was there again and I am too nervous to go again alone.
If anything, they are somewhat behind the curve on this, since many cemeteries and churchyards have ( in my experience) already introduced the requirement for dogs to be kept on a lead. I agree with them and wish they’d include Midsomer Norton, where my parents (and three preceding generations) are buried. It’s all about respect – for the living and the dead. Something in short supply, these days!
Quite right, but will it be up to the public to police it ?
It’s also about time that parks had areas where dogs are not allowed so that children playing and adults relaxing on the grass don’t have to worry about dog mess.
And what about playing fields which are often used as dogs toilets ?
My experience is that human excrament is regularly left in chuchyards due to the lack of public toilets.
Stop blaming the majority of dog owners who responsibly pick up their dog poo and reopen public toilets.