First, some clarifications.
1: Edinburgh Council asked Paul early on in this process to take photos as they want to see for themselves the extent of people breaking and ignoring the rules. Photos provide solid evidence of just how bad the situation is - irresponsible, selfish dog walkers using Morningside Cemetery (and no doubt other Edinburgh cemeteries) as glorified, locally convenient dog exercise yards, walking dogs on long leads, letting dogs off the lead, and fouling on gravestones.
It is called "gathering evidence" - something the counter petition accuses us of not having.
We have plenty evidence. We will share a small selection of this evidence here in petition updates between now and the 8th August - we will be supplying ALL of our evidence to the Culture & Communities Committee as part of our Deputation.
2. It is not against any law to take pictures of people breaking rules in public places.
If you have a problem with getting your picture taking when breaking the rules, simply don't break the rules! Better yet, go somewhere else where you won't be upsetting someone enough to want to take your photo whilst breaking the rules. Go to a park, where it is acceptable to exercise your dog and let it off the lead, where there are no headstones to urinate on, no graves of loved ones to defecate on, or for your dog to remove or worse, destroy cherished mementoes.
Quite simple really.
3: Yesterdays image clearly shows a dog owner who does not think the current signage of trial cemetery rules at Morningside cemetery, displayed on eight signs throughout the cemetery including on both entrance gates, applies to them.
This signage clearly states:
STOP - Do you plan to exercise your dog in this cemetery?
Please read the below signage and remember - short leads only
We have used another piece of photo evidence from Morningside Cemetery in this post. Remember...this is a cemetery which has been under the spotlight since our campaign started in January, has new explicit signage, yet a section of entitled dog owners still think they can do what they want - god knows what the situation is like at other Edinburgh cemeteries, who are not under such scrutiny.
Here you see another irresponsible, selfish dog owner who thinks the rules dont apply to them - two dogs, clearly off the lead in Morningside Cemetery, being exercised, in flagrant abuse of both the trial Cemetery Management Rules at Morningside Cemetery AND the wider two year old Cemetery Management Rules that apply to all Cemeteries in Edinburgh.
Morningside Cemetery Trial Rules:
STOP - Do you plan to exercise your dog in this cemetery?
Please read the below signage and remember - short leads only
Dogs in this cemetery must be on a lead at all times.
Those needing fully exercised should be taken to an appropriate green place such as Morningside Park, Craiglockhart Hill or Braidburn Valley Park
Morningside cemetery is regularly visited by the bereaved. If you are visiting with a dog, please remember to keep it on a lead, and be aware that they should not be allowed to urinate on headstones.
Two Year Old Rules:
The following acts are prohibited: Behaviour which causes annoyance, offence, alarm or distress.
Failing to keep your dog on a lead in the cemetery.
Allowing a dog to foul in a cemetery.
100% clear. Thanks again for contributing to our growing pile of evidence.
If you want to see a stop to this nonsense.
1: Please continue to share this Change petition on social media and amongst friends & family.
2: Contribute a £ or two to this Change petition, to increase visibility & awareness.
3: Cast your vote in the online version of The Scotsman article here https://t.ly/LxhBS
The figures are still very much in our favour in this vote, however again, the gap has decreased a little in the past few days.
4: Join our Facebook Group "No Exercising Dogs In Edinburgh Cemeteries":
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1479741686087660/
5: Send an email of support to your local Councillor. Easily find your local Councillor and use our email template text here: http://tinyurl.com/2p8sujpn
We are happy to help you do this if required.
6: Come along and support us in person on 8th August. The Committee meeting is open to the public, and there is public seating available.
Thank you. Paul & Andy