Hi all
Many thanks to our new and continuing signers, sharers and surprise donators - together we can do this!
This petition isn't the only way you can help prevent a ban on dogs (with exemptions) in our Edinburgh Council cemeteries, there are some suggestions below but never forget the power of word of mouth - we are quite surprised by how few know of either peition when we have our walking doggy chats up the park.
It less than a month till officials meet and we see if this becomes reality - if you don't believe dogs should be banned (with exemptions) please:
- Keep sharing this petition - research has shown that people need to see a petition many times before signing
- Speak to people you think may be interested - only if you feel comfortable to do so
- Write to your local councillor
- Write to members of the comittee on the board that decides these rules.
- Give a written or spoken despotition to the comittee yourself.
- Vote on the Scotsman article
As always you can contact us at:
cemeteries4all@yahoo.com
Other contact details can be found at the end of this update.
Today's image relates to the number of cemeteries under Edinburgh council care.
In the past we have discussed whether the petitioned ban for dogs in cemeteries (with exemptions) is porportionate and representative of all people with dogs in all Edinburgh's cemeteries.
In terms of dog walkers breaking rules we have evidence to suggest it is not porportionate and that the majority follow rules - so any ban (with or without exemptions) would be made for a minority.
In terms of cemeteries we believe dogs are not an issue in the majority of cemetries and in some actually help deter problems - such as the story we have shared a few times now where ourselves and others fully believe IV drug use has reduced vastly in one cemetery due to the presence of people with dogs.
Why stop dogs (in some shape or form) in all 43 cemeteries when they are possibly an issue in a few (we have yet to see sufficient evidence of this)? Why ban dogs (with or without exemptions) when they can offer the inhabitants and visitors protection from unwanted, unsafe at times illegal behaviour?
Yesterday we shared with you an image of New Calton buriel ground (cemetery) which in fairness is usually not as bad as the image. It usually appears to have problems with litter, possible drinking and the occasional human faeces - no issues with dogs that we have seen or heard of.
Today we'd like to share an email we received from one of our supporters and a cemetery they visit - please note we have taken out personal details for potential legal reasons and to protect the person themself. We have also edited some details to keep the ethos of the email but make the person less identifiable - these parts are italicised.
This story highlights not only that not all cemeteries have issues with dogs but other cemeteries have other problems which people with dogs can actually help!
"Hi,
I walk our dog in the deleted cemetery. I work at the nearby church.
The Cemetery provides a peaceful place to walk a dog. Every other walker smiles at each other. There is no disruption caused or mess left.
The main issues at the cemetery are caused by the young people from the neighbouring secondary school, deleted. Many buy food from the nearby cafe, and eat in the cemetery, leaving rubbish behind. If you go to the cemetery after school finishes, particularly on a deleted lunch time, you can smell and see young people smoking drugs and drinking, and again, leaving rubbish.
It is the dog walkers that are the ones who pick up their mess to put in the bins.
Why on earth would you ban dog walking. It is absurd.
Well done for starting this petition.
Best,"
As you can see this cemetery does not have an issue with dogs - it has an issue with rubbish, drinking and drug use. People with dogs actually help in this cemetery by cleaning it.
Although we don't know for sure we personally wonder if issues in this cemetery with rubbish, drinking and drugs use would increase if not for the footfall of people with dogs - we know from other cemeteries people with dogs have had this type of deterrent effect.
It's definitely food for thought for people supporting either petition and for the councillors discussing this on August 8th.
Let's keep working together to keep cemetries4all respectful, responsible users.
List of your local Councillors:
https://democracy.edinburgh.gov.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx?FN=WARD&VW=LIST&PIC=0
List of who is due to be at the committee meeting including committee members:
https://democracy.edinburgh.gov.uk/mgMeetingAttendance.aspx?ID=7281
Website where further information will be posted in relation to the meetings, we understand around a week before the meeting:
https://democracy.edinburgh.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=139&MId=7281
The Scotsman article where you can place your vote (it is not binding in any way):