Cemetery's dog rules see major change - breaches 'punishable by £1k fine'

A council plan to ban dogs off leads in a North London cemetery where the creator of Paddington Bear is buried will be implemented despite a previous backlash from local residents. The measures were set to go ahead last year but were postponed after a petition signed by nearly 500 residents halted the plan.

As part of a borough-wide Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), Brent Council will implement the ban from Monday (March 10) in a bid to tackle a number of complaints about dog behaviour in Old Paddington Cemetery in Kilburn - which included them defecating 'on the graves of loved ones'. The decision has been made following a public consultation held between October 18 and December 10 last year.

The changes aim to 'preserve a peaceful and respectful environment' for users while ensuring responsible dog owners can continue to access the cemetery, according to Brent Council. It also brings the dogs on leads requirement in line with all other cemeteries in the borough.

Prior to the consultation, the council received 74 complaints regarding dog behaviour at the cemetery, including dogs 'defecating and urinating on graves', dogs 'running uncontrolled' near funeral services and 'unwanted dog interactions', the council has said. No complaints were reported in the council's three other cemeteries where dogs are required to be on leads, it added.

Coredlia Uys, a member of Dogs of Paddington Old Cemetery - a group of more than 100 dog owners - had claimed that 'freedom to run and exercise' is crucial to a canine's physical health and a ban would be 'using a sledgehammer to crack a nut'. Her petition on the council website, which resulted in the postponement, called for a 'fair, open, transparent and balanced' consultation.

The subsequent public consultation received responses from 860 residents, which has resulted in the existing PSPO being varied so that dogs are now required to be kept on leads at all times and in all parts of the Old Paddington Cemetery.

PSPOs are legal measures that impose conditions on public places where there has been a nuisance which has had a detrimental effect on the community. PSPO conditions apply to everyone equally. They are designed to enhance public safety and improve the quality of life for all residents. Breaching a PSPO is a criminal offence with fines typically starting at £100 but potentially rising to £1,000.

The existing PSPO requirements will also remain in effect, meaning a maximum of four dogs may be walked by one person at a time and dog waste must be picked up immediately and disposed of in the bins provided or taken away.

Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, Jobs and Skills, Cllr Harbi Farah, said: "While many responsible dog owners value the cemetery as a place for walking their dogs, the number of serious concerns raised made it clear that action was needed. We understand that dogs are an important part of people's lives, which is why we will continue to allow dog walking here, rather than banning them altogether."

He added: "However, dogs must be kept on leads, in line with the well-established policy in our other cemeteries where we have received no complaints. This new PSPO requirement aims to strike a fair, balanced and proportionate approach, ensuring the cemetery remains a peaceful and respectful place while still allowing responsible dog walking."

The council has outlined 'a commitment to working with all cemetery users' and will establish a Paddington Old Cemetery Liaison Group to address issues moving forward. The consultation also highlighted a number of other areas that the council claims it will explore, including potentially creating a 'designated enclosed off-lead area' within the cemetery.

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