Use of Hawick cemetery as pet playpark sparks complaints

Revulsion has been expressed after a dog was encouraged by its owner to run over graves and around headstones to retrieve a ball at Hawick’s Wellogate Cemetery.
Councillor Davie Paterson at Wellogate Cemetery in Hawick.Councillor Davie Paterson at Wellogate Cemetery in Hawick.
Councillor Davie Paterson at Wellogate Cemetery in Hawick.

That disrespectful display was witnessed last week by an elderly woman visiting the cemetery to pay her respects at her late daughter’s graveside.

The unidentified man appeared to regard the sacred site as a playpark and was hurling a ball around the graveyard for his dog to chase, she said.

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The pensioner, who wishes to remain anonymous, was extremely upset by what she witnessed and contacted Hawick and Hermitage councillor Davie Paterson to express her disgust.

Mr Paterson is now seeking clarification from Scottish Borders Council bosses over what action can be taken to prevent such behaviour, with new signage one of the options he believes should be considered.

He said: “The lady I spoke to was up in arms about this.

“Her daughter died a few years ago and she was at the grave and she saw this guy throwing a ball for his dog and the dog was chasing the ball and bringing it back, jumping over graves and around graves. She was absolutely appalled.

“She was very angry about this, and I can’t really blame her. I’ve written to the council to ask what steps they can take to stop this. I would never take my dog into the cemetery. It’s not right and I don’t think it’s proper. I have got respect for the dead, and I have my mother and father in that same cemetery. I think the advice is that it is okay if you keep them on a lead but I am just looking for guidance to try and get this sorted out.

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“She is an elderly lady and she didn’t approach the guy at the time because she was afraid of getting a load of abuse.”

No one from the council was available for comment. However, the local authority has a policy of promoting responsible dog ownership stating: “A dog is out of control if it is not being kept under control effectively and consistently and the dog’s behaviour gives rise to alarm or apprehensions on the part of an individual.”