Petition updateHalt the Petitioned Ban on Dogs in Edinburgh CemeteriesCurrent rules and method of complaint
Monti StramkaEdinburgh, SCT, United Kingdom
12 Feb 2024

Hi all

Once again  thanks for your support and please continue to sign and share.

We realised that neither petition has actually stated what the current rules in Edinburgh's council cemetries are.

You can find these here:

https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/downloads/file/33467/cemetery-management-rules

As can be clearly seen rules encompass many aspects. In relation to the cemetery rules being debated and issues arsing in discussions relating aspects of the rules relate in particular to human behaviour in the cemetery, to dogs being on a leash and allowing a dog to foul in a cemetrey not following the rules in the Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003. There is more information below on how to report concerns relating to these aspects. 

In case you do not find the service you are looking for noted below the council have an extensive list of places for reporting different types of issues, this can be viewed at:

https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/report

Prohibited human behaviour in a cemetrey is defined as: "1.1 Behaviour which causes (or 
in the opinion of a Council 
Officer is likely to cause)
annoyance, offence, alarm or 
distress to any other Cemetery visitor." 

Any behaviour which you feel puts your own or somone else's health or life in danger please report to 999 immediately.

To report behaviour which you feels goes against the law, including verbal threats, but is not an immediate risk to health of life you can report to the police on 101.

You can also report non emergency issues with the polic online at:

https://www.police.uk/pu/contact-us/

You can report antisocial behaviour here:

https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/asb

From our understanding you will need to alert the council re matters reported to the police and possibly give them the crime number. We may be wrong on this but the council Bereavement service are very helpful and can clarify procedure for you they can be contacted at:

Bereavement Services

Working Hours 0131 664 4314 
Out of Hours 0131 200 2000
or email:
bereavement@edinburgh.gov.uk

In relation to behaviour you have witnessed or been a recipient of which does not seem to fall into any of these categories but breaks the prohibited rule in cemeteries please we'd advise calling the Bereavement Services above or your local counsellir who should be able to direct you to the appropriate service. There may be other people you can contact but we don't know these.

Dogs being on a leash: "3.1 Failing to keep your dog on 
a lead whilst in the cemetery."

You can report an out of control dog here:

https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/dogs

There does not appear to be a contact number for if the dog is off leash and not out of control so we'd advise contacting the council Bereavement Services or your local counsellor who can direct you to the appropriate persons.

Bereavement Services

Working Hours 0131 664 4314 
Out of Hours 0131 200 2000
or email:
bereavement@edinburgh.gov.uk

Dog fouling: "3.3 Allowing a dog to foul in a cemetery contrary to the  provisions of the Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003."

Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003:

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2003/12/contents

Except from the above Act defining the fouling offence, which relates to observing, removing and disposal of dog faeces:

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2003/12/section/1

You can report dog fouling here:

https://webforms.edinburgh.gov.uk/site/portal/request/dog_fouling

We understand at times bins may be full so disposing of dog poo bags may be difficult or indeed there may be other issues relating to bins or rubbish and you can report litterring, fly tipping or a bin that needs emptied here:

https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/litter-flytipping/litter-street-cleaning

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