People letting dogs off leads are 'undermining respectful nature' of Borough's cemeteries, says Cllr Elder
Causeway Coast and Glens Council DUP representative Tanya Elder has voiced concern around dogs being let off leads at the borough’s cemeteries.
Cllr Elder put forward a notice of motion at March’s Environmental Services Committee meeting, which read: “I would like to ask whether council has reviewed or updated the Dog Control Order carried forward from the former Coleraine Borough Council in 2015, which requires dogs to be kept on leads within council-owned cemeteries and burial grounds.
“There continues to be reports of dogs being off-lead within cemetery grounds, which can cause distress to families visiting graves and detract from the respectful nature of these spaces.
“I would ask that the Head of Environmental Services bring a short report to committee outlining the current position of the order and whether there is a need to reinforce the existing rules through improved signage, awareness or enforcement.”
Speaking to the motion, Cllr Elder said: “Cemeteries are a place of remembrance where families come to visit and reflect the graves of their loved ones, and it’s really important that these spaces are treated with that dignity and respect.
“I’ve had reports of dogs being let off the leads in cemeteries and this can cause such distress to visitors and undermine the respectful nature of these areas.
“There is obviously a need to reinforce the existing rules to improve signage, or maybe to create some public awareness or enforcement, to ensure that our cemeteries remain respectable spaces for families and for visitors.”
Director of Environmental Services, Aidan McPeake, said a report would be returned to the April’s Committee meeting.