Pet owners letting their dogs off leads in an Angus cemetery have been accused of disrespecting the dead.
Mourners want action taken against offenders and have gained the support of a local representative which could lead to a bye-law change.
Dog owners are causing upset to people paying their respects at Arbroath’s Western Cemetery with “disgusting, thoughtless and selfish behaviour”.
Mourners are being left devastated by dogs running amok over graves, soiling headstones and knocking down personal mementos despite a sign telling owners to keep their pets on leads.
One mourner, who did not wish to be named, said “I’m extremely disappointed that people continue to exercise their dogs in the cemetery.
“Why anyone feels it is acceptable to walk their dogs while mourners are tending to the grave of a loved one is beyond me.
“In my view, it is disgusting, thoughtless and selfish behaviour that is deeply disrespectful to the dead, and those who are grieving.
“There are plenty places to exercise pets, and a cemetery should not be one of them.
“Appealing to the better nature of these people is not going to work and I think the council needs to look at what measures can be taken to stop it.”
Arbroath West and Letham independent candidate David Fairweather, previously went public to urge dog owners to show respect after being contacted by grieving families but many have failed to take the message on board.
Mr Fairweather said the current bye-law that dogs should be kept under proper control at all times should be changed.
He will now ask Angus Council to look at changing it as he described the phrasing as “quite woolly” but he admitted that could take up to 18 months.
He said: “As a council we should look at it again and change it to ‘dogs should be kept on leads at all times’.
“It can take up to 18 months to change but if we can go ahead then it could act as a deterrent.
“The responsibility is ultimately with dog owners though – do they want to let their dogs run about and upset people visiting passed loved ones or would they rather exercise them on open ground?
“Hercules Den is just along the road from the cemetery and it is a place where they can exercise their dogs without causing any problems to mourners.”
Arbroath West and Letham SNP candidate Donald Morrison said it was “deeply disappointing that some dog owners allow their pet to run free in graveyards”.
He said: “Therefore, I agree that we should revisit the by-laws and signage and if re-elected I will be happy to work with David and others in supporting this.”
Arbroath West and Letham Lib Dem candidate Richard Moore added:
“I know, from experience, that if one wants to privately visit the grave of a loved one the last thing one wants is a dog romping about and its owner disturbing the peace and tranquillity of the cemetery by continually shouting for it.
“It is both disrespectful and inconsiderate.
“While I believe action needs to be taken I don’t think that more bye-laws are the answer.
“The answer is more enforcement of the existing bye-laws, both for keeping dogs on leads and for dog fouling, an issue which I have been contacted about by residents.”
An Angus Council spokesman said the vast majority of people who attend at its cemeteries do so with respect and consideration for the departed, their relatives and friends, as well as for the memorials and gardens – but to behave in any other way was “unacceptable”.
