The plight of dogs fouling on graves in a Laois cemetery has been highlighted by a County Councillor.
Fine Gael’s John King called the act of leaving the dog faeces on a person’s grave ‘disgusting’ at this morning’s meeting of the Borris-In-Ossory-Mountmellick Municipal District.
Cllr King explained how this was happening frequently in the Bealady Cemetery near Rathdowney and other graveyards in the area.
Cllr King put forward a motion for ‘Strictly no dogs allowed’ signs to be erected at Bealady Cemetery and other local graveyards – as well as for doggie bins to be erected.
He said: “Dog fouling can be seen in Bealady regularly and it is extremely stressful for families, when they visit the graves of loved ones and find dog foul on the grave area.
“That cannot be allowed in any graveyard at any time.
“I’m sure the people that own the dogs wouldn’t let them foul on their own family graves. We can’t let this happen. It’s disgusting and a total lack of respect.”
His proposal for signage was supported by Cllr James Kelly, who said there is a similar problem at St Fintan’s Cemetery in Mountrath.
Cllrs agreed that they had to be mindful of those who required the assistance of a guide dog and that these animals should still be permitted entry.
In reply, Council official Edmund Kenny said that extra signage for the graveyard would be considered.
