Dog owners urged to take the lead in keeping their pets safe

Bath & North East Somerset Council is appealing to dog owners to ensure their dogs are kept on leads in cemetery grounds for the safety of the public and the animals themselves.

Following a number of complaints from residents about significant issues caused by dogs being allowed to run free, as well as dogs fouling on grounds and graves, the council is urging owners to keep their animals under control before serious harm occurs.

The issues documented as a result of dogs being off-lead have included dogs being allowed to run between grounds maintenance machinery while in operation, being aggressive to staff and frightening other cemetery visitors.

These incidents have occurred at all of the council’s cemeteries across Bath and North East Somerset.

Councillor Manda Rigby, cabinet member for Communications and Civic Services, said: “Thank you to the majority of dog owners who keep their dog on a lead and clean up after them when visiting our cemeteries, however there is a significant problem with some owners letting their animals run free in our grounds – despite us having run social media and poster campaigns to raise awareness and ask them not to.

“There has been regular fouling throughout the cemeteries including – sadly and disrespectfully – on the graves themselves. Dog excrement is dangerous for humans because contact with it can cause an infection, leading to blindness or seizures in rare cases.

“Visitors and staff have also experienced aggressive behaviour from dogs not kept under control by their owners and we are concerned about the serious safety risks for animals too, as there have been instances where dogs have been allowed off-lead near staff who are using large machinery.

“We are appealing to dog owners to please respect our open spaces and people’s loved ones in their final resting place and to keep their dogs on a lead at all times.