Resident wants ban on dogs in cemetery

[The Straight Story]

Resident wants ban on dogs in Pembroke cemetery

For the last two years, Carol Mont has been visiting the grave of her late husband, Gerald Mont, in the Center Cemetery almost every day.

During her visits, she began to notice numerous dog owners walking their pets in the cemetery regularly — often without a leash. And every day, she noticed them urinating and defecating on people’s graves.

“Those laid to rest in our cemeteries were human beings,” Mont stated in a letter to selectmen. “They had families and they were loved, and their graves and memories should be treated with dignity and respect.”

In November, Mont sent the letter to selectmen expressing her concern about the dogs and asked that they consider removing people’s right to walk their dogs in the town cemeteries. She suggested in the letter that a sign be placed outside the gates of the Center Cemetery to ban dogs and discourage people from bringing their pets there.

http://www.wickedlocal.com/pembroke/local_news/x2072231376/Resident-wants-ban-on-dogs-in-Pembroke-cemetery

I agree, keep them out. Just like some smokers throw their butts on the ground, some pet owners don't clean up after their pets.....

[hlthe2b]

1. What about the geese droppings?

Deer or elk (depending on the area) scat? Perhaps they could just enforce the leash law as a start?

[Fridays Child]

3. Since wild animal scat can't be controlled, pet owners should not be held responsible for their...

...pets' droppings? I hope that's not what you're suggesting. And how would enforcing a leash law make these people clean up after their pets? Besides, it's outrageously disrespectful to allow dogs to shit and pee on graves.

[hlthe2b]

4. Don't conflate... I never ever said pet owners should not be responsible

Only that one needs to have a reasonable perspective on the matter, especially for more rural or park-adjoining cemetaries (as opposed to highly landscaped, highly access controlled urban cemetaries). There are many cemetaries that are also national or state monuments and are also used for urban running/walking parks. If we can enforce pooper-scooping and leash laws in city parks with suitable fines, it would seem that would be a first step in cemetaries, rather than unilaterally restricting all presence of pets on adjacent running/walking trails, etc.

[Fridays Child]

7. Was not conflating, at all. Was simply seeking clarification of your remarks.

The issue, as I understand it, does not concern adjacent trails, etc. It's about pets--leashed or not--defecating and urinating IN the cemetery and directly ON the graves. I agree that the enforcement of pet laws already on the books is a necessary and reasonable first step.

[virgogal]

2. Lots of cemetaries ban dogs.

[damntexdem]

5. Well, it's more of a visitor, rather than a resident, who's complaining.

Now if the residents of the cemetery start complaining, then we'd damn-well better start listening. ;-)

[Thickasabrick]

6. Bless her heart for caring so much. Ban the dogs nt

[smalll]

8. At least ban ...

... the pitbulls! :hide:

[EndersDame]

9. If I died before my dog I would want my family to take her to my grave