EXCEPTIONS SHOULD BE MADE FOR DOGS ACCOMPANYING MOURNERS & ASSISTANCE DOGS. THEY MUST HOWEVER BE KEPT ON SHORT LEADS

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This petition is as a result of a heartfelt plea issued on social media, from an Edinburgh father who tragically lost his three year old son.

"We had my son buried very close to where we live, so we could visit his grave whenever we needed to, which is still every day, sometimes a few times a day. After my son was killed, lots of lovely people left teddies and flowers, which mean so much to us, and we got them placed at his grave.

It wasn't long before we noticed teddies go missing and even damaged. We soon realised it was dogs being walked in the cemetery that were doing this. I want to say at this point, I don't blame the dogs, only the irresponsible owners letting their dogs off the lead for the problem.

I had many occasions where I witnessed the dogs grabbing the teddies in front of us or from my window which overlooks the cemetery, just in case anyone tries to say it was a fox or other wildlife, ( I've had people try to tell me this) but I know for fact it's mostly dogs.

I eventually contacted my local MP, and had two large meetings with councillors to try and get the rules reverted back to no dogs allowed in cemeteries (which is the case in other councils and was in place in Edinburgh before Covid) but I only managed to persuade them to have the rule of dogs must be kept on leads. This was very traumatic for me to have to do, but I plucked up the courage and fought for the rules to change for my son and his memory. 

Unfortunately the situation has not changed, I have to speak to dog walkers on a daily basis, often getting abuse and even threats. I see the same people come several times a day to walk their dogs, some even arrive  by car. Many swap the leads to extremely long extendable leads and MOST of them let their dogs urinate on graves and headstones.

Many just stroll past my sons grave with no consideration, probably letting their dog urinate on his grave. Teddies still go missing and get destroyed. I see the same in cemeteries all over town. What happened to respect? 

Can any dog walker using a cemetery have a wee think about what I've said and maybe use one of the many other green spaces where dogs are allowed off leads please. This whole situation just adds to my grief and pushes my anxiety levels through the roof.

As you can imagine, this situation is traumatic for anyone visiting loved ones.

Many Councils in Scotland lifted the ban on dogs in cemeteries, churchyards and burial grounds during the Covid pandemic. Nine of the thirty two Councils have now reintroduced the ban.

The family in question have previously contacted their local MP, and had two meetings with local Councillors, to try and get the rules reverted back to the pre-Covid "No Dogs Allowed In Cemeteries".

Edinburgh Council were only prepared to introduce a rule of "Dogs Must Be Kept On Leads". The signs for this have backfired, as people who may have not taken their dogs in now see it as an invitation to, as long as it is on a lead.

We are hoping this petition will raise the profile of the issue, initially convince Edinburgh Council to bring itself into line with the majority of other Scottish councils, and eventually lead to a Scotland wide ban on dogs in cemeteries, churchyards and burial grounds.

Interestingly, when the father issued his plea on social media, and a petition was suggested in responses, he was afraid that there would be a counter petition from dog owners.

Below are just a handful of responses he received:

"as a dog owner, you would find we would support you. People may not think about it as they go about their busy lives but I think most people having the obvious pointed out to them would realise it’s not appropriate"

" I don’t walk my dogs in a cemetery because there are plenty of green spaces around. Cemeteries are not open green spaces for recreation, they are places of rest for our loved ones"

"I'd never walk my dog in a cemetery for all the reasons you set out. It's astonishing people think it's a reasonable or respectful thing to do"

"This is dreadful and shouldn’t be allowed. There are plenty of other areas to walk dogs. They shouldn’t be allowed in cemeteries- it’s a disgrace and so disrespectful to those who are grieving loved ones"