Dog owners urged to be respectful

Dog owners urged to be respectful

8 March 2017

CONCERN has been expressed about dog owners using Ballynahinch’s cross-community cemetery as an area to exercise their dogs.

Councillor Mark Murnin said the issue has been raised with him by several concerned residents whose loved ones are buried at the Lough Inch graveyard at Riverside Road, with one explaining 

she saw a dog urinate on a headstone.

The Slieve Croob councillor said while the owner of the dog concerned cleaned the headstone, the message must go out that a public cemetery is not the place for people to walk their dogs.

Councillor Murnin confirmed he has raised the issue with Newry, Mourne and Down Council officials who are in the process of 

making new signs to be erected at the entrance to the cemetery.

“There will clearly be people visiting graves who may have a dog with them and that is fine,” he continued. “The issue is those who let their dogs run free in an area where people go to pay their respects to loved ones. Some people seem to be using the graveyard as a park by allowing their dogs to run about the place. This should not be happening.

“Unfortunately, there are some people displaying a complete lack of respect for the final resting place of people of all religions and none at this public graveyard and that is deeply disappointing.”

Councillor Murnin said he does not want to see a situation arise where dogs would not be permitted into the graveyard at any time, appealing to their owners to show more respect.

“I can fully understand people’s concern and frustration over this particular issue. Dog owners have to remember Lough Inch is a graveyard, not a public park,” he declared.

“There is a large open area but it is part of the graveyard and should not be viewed as somewhere for people to let their dogs run free. The fact one dog urinated on a headstone is not only appalling, but has caused upset.”

Councillor Murnin said people visiting the graves of loved ones have the right to do so in dignity and quiet and not have dogs running about them.

He added: “Council officials are aware of what has been happening and are in the process of agreeing the wording of the new signs due to be erected at the cemetery to try and address the issue.

“The bottom line is that graveyards are not places for people to exercise their dogs and I appeal to dog owners to show more respect for those whose loved ones are buried there.”