Dogs banned again after fouling in cemetery
Last updated at 11:36, Thursday, 04 October 2012
DOGS have AGAIN been banned from Egremont cemetery after some owners “abused’’ the rules and allowed pets to run and foul on the consecrated ground.
Around 12 months ago, town councillors changed their policy of ‘No Dogs Allowed’, enabling dog owners to take their pets into the graveyard so long as the animals were kept on a lead and under control
However, dogs have since been seen running across the sacred ground which has also seen an increase in fouling.
Margaret Woodburn, clerk to the town council, said this “lack of respect’’ for the cemetery, and its caretaker who had to remove the dog faeces, had resulted in the decision.
She said: “Unfortunately, some people have abused this new rule and allowed their dogs to run freely in these consecrated grounds but worse, have allowed their dogs to foul on graves.
“Therefore at the town council’s September meeting, councillors felt they had no choice but to revert back to the old rule of ‘No Dogs Allowed’ and this was agreed with immediate effect.’’
A new sign will be erected in the next few days.
Also at the recent town council meeting, Mrs Woodburn was presented with a crystal vase and flowers to mark her 25th anniversary as clerk to the council.
A FORMAL notice on banning dogs from areas in Copeland has been announced. Copeland Council has issued dog exclusion areas at: Hensingham playground and multi-use games area; Mirehouse multi-use games and play areas; Gosforth Playing Fields’ multi-use games and play areas; Kells Welfare Field’s multi-use games area and Millom Park’s multi-use games area.
The order will come into force from October 15. If prosecuted the fixed penalty will be £80.
First published at 11:06, Thursday, 04 October 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk
Seems like a good Rob, but the reaction will be from responsible dog owners who clean up after their dogs mess and who see no reason to have to pay for those who don't. Also, is the tax per dog owned or per owner, regardless of how many they own? Obviously 4 dogs make a lot more mess than 1 potentially. The fixed penalty is fairer but very difficult to police. Nothing is as simple as it should be.
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Good idea Rob. Fair comment Owen.
Look upon this as the return of the dog licence. One per dog and and everything held on a central database. Certain types of dog would be banned (e.g. Pit Bull Terriers) and could be put to sleep when the owner attempts to register them. Each dog is chipped with a GPS device and dog mess tracked and the owners fined. Dogs with a bad temperament can also be singled out for termination.Great ideas - keep them coming!
Posted by Derek on 11 October 2012 at 10:12