Crackdown coming to cemetery as relatives left distressed by dogs fouling on graves
Dogs are to be banned from a new fenced off area in Accrington Cemetery after relatives complained about them fouling graves.
Hyndburn Council’s cabinet on Wednesday has been asked to confirm the additional dog control measures in the municipal graveyard in Burnley Road.
They will fence off part of the cemetery to keep it pet free and amend the existing Public Space Protection Order so the new rule can be enforced.
A report to Wednesday’s meeting by borough environment boss Cllr Stewart Eaves says: “Currently there is a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) relevant to dog control in force at Accrington Cemetery.
“There has been a dog control PSPO for Accrington Cemetery since 2015.
“The current PSPO permits dog walkers to walk their dogs throughout Accrington Cemetery but does require dog walkers to keep their dogs on a lead at all times and to pick up any dog fouling after their dogs.
“A considerable number of the dog walkers who walk their dogs in Accrington Cemetery enter the cemetery via the pedestrian access off Whitewell Road.
“Dog walkers who enter through this access tend to turn left and walk down the footpath towards the bottom of the cemetery between plots MA and EO.
“Members of the community with relatives buried in burial area MA adjacent to the footpath referenced above, have made representation to the council stating they have seen dogs on leads being allowed to walk on the grass burial plots and on occasion seen some dog owners cleaning up dog fouling from the grass burial area.
“While this behaviour does not breach the current PSPO, it has caused some distress to the families who have requested additional dog control due to the dog walking traffic in that part of the cemetery.
“This report recommends implementing the following:
“ * create a fenced ‘dog free zone’ by installing a fence along the boundary of EO plot with a gate at either end of the footpath and one in the middle running between EO and MA plot; and
“ * amend the existing dog control order to exclude dogs from the footpath running between EO and MA plot, (a fenced dog free zone) so the council’s dog wardens can take enforcement action should any dog walkers choose to ignore the fenced dog free zone and walk through it with their dogs.
“It also means that access to the whole MA plot is via one gate on the footpath which retains the open access of MA plot for visitors.”