Hi all

Thankyou all again for signing, sharing and showing your support.

The petition asking for a dog ban  has again posted an update using partial information from an article - from America.

This is the link to the article  https://lifehacker.com/is-it-ever-ok-to-walk-your-dog-in-a-cemetery-1849171034

The article begins:

"Cemeteries aren’t just for the dead, the mourning, and edgy teens anymore. With more and more cities rethinking the role their cemeteries play in public life, your local graveyard could be a lovely, quiet spot for a stroll, jog, or even a picnic. Notably absent from this list of wholesome activities: Walking your dog." 

We personally do not think that an article advocating the use of cemetries for picnics and jogging is maybe the best example of respectful use of a cemetry and therefore might not be a great source for a discussion on dogs in cemetries but we can explore a little further.

The article cites that dogs may "pee" or "poo" on graves and may steal teddies, be over enthusiastic or not very enthusiastic when meeting other people in a cemetry.

In relation to our cemetries this can be covered by dogs being on leads and owners taking care of dog fouling and control of their dog - rules currently in place.

If people don't respect these rules they will not respect a banning rule. Only those that are already respecting these rules will be penalised as they will no longer be able to visit the cemetry with their dogs for all the respectable valid reasons mentioned in this petition before.

Back to the article which finished by saying:

"With that in mind, there are some exceptions to the “no dogs in the graveyard” rule of thumb. Some cities have integrated their cemeteries into their parks program, treating them more like public green spaces than places reserved for private reflection. In one of these cemeteries, dogs may be allowed or even encouraged. For example, Congressional Cemetery in Washington D.C. has a members-only, off-leash dog run program (with a 4-5 year waitlist, according to their website). It’s very easy to check if your cemetery allows dogs: Look for signage at the entrance, or, failing that, check the website. Any dog policy will be clearly posted in both places."

So the in the end although the article notes some issues it also states that dogs going to cemetries can work and be respectful. 

This petition would not advocate for the use mentioned above (membership and loose dogs playing) but the article proves dogs can go to cemetries and respectfully use the space.

Please keep signing and sharing xx