Ban on dogs off leads in cemetery 'unfair'

The group Dogs of Paddington Cemetery formed to fight plans to impose the ban when the idea was first proposed last year

A decision to ban dog walkers letting their pets off the lead in a north London cemetery is "unfair and undemocratic", local campaigners have said.

Brent Council has imposed the rule at Grade II listed Paddington Old Cemetery, Kilburn, after 74 complaints were made about dogs behaving badly.

It said the ban aimed to "preserve a peaceful and respectful environment" for cemetery users, while ensuring "responsible dog owners" could continue to access the site. Those caught breaching the ban face fines of up to £1,000.

Members of the group Dogs of Paddington Old Cemetery said they believed the decision was not widely supported and that the dog walking community "respected" the cemetery.

Brent Council said the graveyard - where Paddington creator Michael Bond, who died in 2017, is buried - had become an increasingly popular spot for dog walking, which had led to concerns among grave owners, mourners and other cemetery users.

It said the complaints included dogs "defecating and urinating on graves" and "running uncontrolled" near burial services.

The council said the decision followed a "comprehensive" public consultation last autumn which heard the views of more than 800 residents and grave owners.

Eleni Chalmers said the majority of dog owners looked after and tidied up the site

Dogs of Paddington Old Cemetery fought a previous attempt to impose the ban by gathering 500 signatures on a petition against the plans.

The group's Eleni Chalmers told BBC London "the vast majority" of dog owners picked up their dog mess.

She said the community of dog walkers looked after and respected the site, picked up litter and avoided going there during funerals.

"To be honest it was quite an unloved cemetery before - the dog walking community has brought it to life," Ms Chalmers said.

She added that she believed the consultation was "biased" and that most people did not want the ban.

'Lack of transparency'

Dog minder Ella Dempsey, who uses the site daily, said: "Dogs need to be able to run and exercise and if we have them on leads, dogs' temperaments change completely."

Ms Dempsey said dogs had never previously been a concern and accused the council of a "lack of transparency" around the complaints that were made.

"There were 74 complaints, but is it is three people making these complaints or is it actually 74 people?" she said.

Harbi Farah, the council's cabinet member for safer communities, said the number of complaints raised made it clear that "action was needed".

She said the council had a "well-established policy" of keeping dogs on leads at its other cemeteries.

The ban aimed to strike a "fair, balanced and proportionate approach, ensuring the cemetery remains a peaceful and respectful place while still allowing responsible dog walking", Farah added.