Dog owners who take their pets in Halton’s cemeteries are being reminded that they are not allowed to do this.
Halton Borough Council has been receiving more and more complaints about people taking dogs into the borough’s cemeteries.
Runcorn, Widnes and Halton cemeteries are all dog exclusion areas as part of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) that came into force in November 2019. The PSPO was introduced following public consultation which showed that the majority of people who responded to the consultation were in support of keeping Halton’s cemeteries dog free.
Bereaved residents are having to suffer distress after finding their graves fouled by dogs or from seeing dogs running around. The Council would like to remind dog owners that dogs are not allowed in any of the three cemeteries – this includes dogs on leads.
The only dogs that are allowed in cemeteries are assistance dogs for those with sight or hearing difficulties.
Breaching the PSPO can result in the issuing of a fixed penalty notice and a fine of up to £100.
Council officers will be stepping up patrols within the cemeteries over the coming weeks and will challenge any individuals found to be breaching the requirements of the PSPO.