Yes, folks here is yet another photo of a selfish, entitled dog walker who does not think Edinburgh Council's Cemetery Rules apply to them, and could not give a damn how their actions could be upsetting the bereaved visiting Morningside Cemetery.
This photo was taken just months ago, in 2024 - two dogs off lead, blatant disregard for the 2022 Cemetery Management Rules ("dogs on leads") and these temporary rules in Morningside Cemetery shown here.
Of course, we are very used to this selfish, deluded "I've done nothing wrong" attitude.
Ironically, it is even on full show from the author of the counter petition, Monti Stramka...a fake name they use, because they "are scared"...of what, we have no idea, probably getting found out to be the hypocrite that they are.
The first two lines of the counter petition say:
"I have been visiting my family in our local cemetery for over four decades. Throughout these years, a faithful canine companion has often accompanied either myself or myself and other family members."
Prior to the 2022 Cemetery Management Rules, which changed to "dogs on leads", the previous Cemetery Management Rules were "no dogs" - these rules, in Edinburgh Council's own words were "several decades old" (Section 4.2 of the 2022 Cemetery Management Rules report).
This means "Monti Stramka" and her family, prior to 2022, were breaking the rules.
When one of our supporters queried this on Next Door, "Monti Stramka" came up with the usual lengthy "explanation".
Here are the highlights:
"in all honesty I have no idea what the rules were when I was a child"
You were not a child for four decades. Your childhood ended many years ago, You would then be expected to behave like a responsible adult.
"In those days the places we went most were private and later compulsory purchased by council - Morningside I belive in 1992 although they didn'tdo much with it for a long time."
So breaking the rules from 1992 then...30 years of rule breaking.
"No idea when the council brought in the no dogs rule and in all honesty I don't remember it. Until 2019 if I went with a dog it was with the family dog or other family members and their dogs - dogs were onlead"
You just said yourself, the Council took it over in 1992. So you and your family members appear to have been breaking the rules, with numerous dogs, for 30 years.
"If this was against rules I apologise but I honestly didn't know, didn't have choice"
This forms a crucial mainstay of our argument - CHOICE. You did have a choice. Visible signs were there to read and follow, saying "No Dogs"...you choose to ignore these signs.
"I don't see the problem apart from possibly going against rules"
Yes folks...they actually wrote that.
"We are against rule breakers of the current rules as they are sensible."
Well...not really true that, is it....you (and your family) are self confessed "rule breakers".
We have 7 days left to persuade Edinburgh Council's Culture & Communities Committee to address this issue of dog walkers using Edinburgh cemeteries as local, walled in, dog exercise yards.
1: Please continue to share this Change petition on social media and amongst friends & family. We can never have too many signatures.
2: Contribute a £ or two to this Change petition, to increase visibility & awareness. you can do that here: https://t.ly/fWz2w
3: Cast your vote in the online version of The Scotsman article here: https://t.ly/LxhBS
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