Dog Owners' Shaming Behaviour

Dogs could be banned from Hawkinge Cemetery unless dog owners clean up their act.

The warning comes from Shepway Council following complaints about the amount of dog excrement found in the cemetery - and particular around the war memorial.

Dog Warden, Karyl Rimmer, cemetery supervisor Brian Clark and groundsman Dale Bryant had to clear away piles of the stuff to make sure the memorial was clean for Remembrance Day on Sunday.

"Don't people have any respect? Allowing dogs to foul graves is bad enough but to let them do it on the memorial is disgusting. What a way to treat our heroes," said Karyl.

Karyl is stepping up her patrols of the cemetery but says catching owners is not always easy.

"They are not going to let their dogs foul while I am there and they might even clear up any mess. But all the time there is no deterrent they are just going to carry on. It's a case of avoiding being caught rather than behaving like any decent human being and clearing up because it's the right thing to do. It must be so distressing for people visiting the graves of their loved ones."

Cllr William Richardson, Cabinet Member for Technical and Environmental Health, said he would prefer to shame bad owners into clearing up after their dogs than introduce a ban, but it might have to be considered.

"It would be very sad if people who visit graves with their dogs couldn't take their pets with them. However we are getting extremely frustrated by the number of irresponsible owners and if the situation doesn't improve we might have to look at banning dogs - except guide dogs - completely.