Renfrewshire Council wardens patrol cemeteries after complaints over off-lead dogs

Renfrewshire Council wardens have been patrolling cemeteries in Elderslie after complaints about dogs being let off the lead by their owners.

A ‘day of action’ was dedicated to the issue as officers visited the sites, where they explained to people what the local authority’s rules are.

Under council regulations, canines are allowed within the grounds but must be accompanied by their owner and always kept on a lead.

A report to next Tuesday’s communities and housing policy board provided an update on the matter, which members of the public have raised with councillors.

It said: “Three days of action took place by officers from the warden service.

“One took place around cemeteries in Elderslie, where complaints had been received regarding dog walkers using the grounds to exercise dogs, often resulting in dog fouling being reported.

“Officers from our open spaces and parks teams joined enforcement officers, explaining that dogs are not permitted off-lead in any of our cemeteries and the negative impact of dog fouling on families and visitors.”

The topic was discussed at a meeting of the infrastructure, land and environment policy board in May, where Councillor Iain McMillan, a Labour representative for Johnstone South and Elderslie, confirmed he had been contacted about it.

He said at the time: “One of the big issues I’ve been getting recently, representing an area that’s got two cemeteries in it, is the number of dogs that owners just let off the lead.

“It’s very, very disrespectful in my opinion. I don’t have a problem with dogs going into cemeteries, but they need to be under control, and for me, that means being on a lead.

“When people actually question people or say to them, ‘really, you should keep your dog on a lead’, they’re usually met with a whole load of a barrage of abuse which I think is pretty poor as well.”

The focus of the council’s other days of action was also explained in the report to next week’s communities and housing policy board.

It added: “The second day of action took place across Renfrewshire, with officers from the warden service working in conjunction with officers across regulatory services to focus on issues of environmental crime.

“Officers focused their efforts in areas identified through intelligence and three fixed penalties were issued.

“Alongside colleagues from finance and resources, officers targeted the misuse of disabled blue badges within Paisley town centre and several additional areas.

“It is intended that these exercises will continue throughout the rest of this year.”