By Nuisance dog walkers cause problems in Grimsby cemetery
Irresponsible dog walkers are causing a nuisance at a Grimsby cemetery by letting their pets run free to foul on graves.
And in one incident an 81-year-old woman was knocked over by a large dog while she was tending someone’s final resting place.
North East Lincolnshire Council is now stepping up enforcement patrols at the Scartho Road cemetery after complaints.
Signs at the cemetery, which contains the graves of Second World War casualties, state that dogs must be kept on a lead and people must pick up after their dogs.
A council spokesperson said: “A woman contacted the council last week because her 81-year-old mum was knocked over by a large dog when she was tending a grave.
“The dog was loose and its owner out of sight when the incident happened.”
Some owners are picking up after their animals but then leaving the bags hanging on headstones and trees in the cemetery grounds.
While loose dogs are also chasing deer and other wildlife.
Cllr Ron Shepherd, portfolio holder for Safer and Stronger Communities at NELC, said: “I’m shocked to hear how a small number of irresponsible dog owners are behaving in the cemetery.
“Most people treat cemeteries with respect, but we’ve had complaints from families over damage to flowers and dog faeces on graves in the cemetery.
“This thoughtless behaviour is unacceptable. We are stepping up enforcement patrols in the cemetery and anyone who leaves their dog loose or doesn’t pick up after them will be fined £100.”
Officers from Local Authority Support carry out patrols and gather evidence which is passed on to Doncaster Council who issue the fines on behalf of North East Lincolnshire Council.
Offenders will be given a fixed penalty notice of £100 or face prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.
A Public Space Protection Order covers dog control.
Private patrols were introduced in November 2017 after a wide-ranging public consultation. People said they wanted to see more enforcement against those who litter and don’t pick up after their dogs.
Contact Gi Grimsby
Email us: news@gi-media.co.uk
Follows us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest local stories, breaking news and to join the conversation
