Letter of the week, 3/30/09, What's going on in cemeteries?

[David]

Dogs in cemeteries
Editor:

I visit my recently departed wife’s grave on a daily basis in Scared Heart Cemetery to grieve and pray on blessed ground in what is supposed to be a peaceful and reverent environment. I say “supposed to be” because in the last couple of weeks, as the weather slowly gets a little better, I have been offended, hurt and disrespected by the number of dogs being walked on and around our loved ones’ graves.

The very idea of a person allowing their dog to do their business on blessed ground repulses me. I also witnessed a moped rider racing over the graves, weaving in between headstones, leaving tire marks on the grass in his wake. I called the police (who responded quite quickly), but to no avail as the offender had already left the area. These people apparently lack any measure of respect.

In the process of attempting to address the dog-walking issues, I was shocked to find out that there is currently a policy in place in Sacred Heart Cemetery that allows dog-walking on leash, only on black top with the owner expected to clean up any mess the animal makes. The reality is that I wittiness many dogs on the grass and graves. A family member who works in Walnut Grove Cemetery also confirmed that there were similar problems there, as well.

I love dogs and have given hundreds of dollars to our local shelter and have owned dogs all my life. But our loved ones’ final resting places are not city parks, dog parks, skateboard parks, bike trails and certainly not our pets’ toilets. I encourage readers to contact officials at all cemeteries to adopt “no dogs allowed” policies — they are sacred places, not a location of convenience for dogs to do their business.
JODY WINSLOW, MERIDEN

[rapuda]

But our loved ones’ final resting places are not city parks, dog parks, skateboard parks, bike trails and certainly not our pets’ toilets.

Walking your dog is not the problem, it's failing to pick up after your dog that's the problem. I agree there are certain places a dog should not be walked such as cemeteries, beaches, parks, and athletic fields.
I've seen people walking their dogs on baseball fields, outdoor tracks, walking trails, and beaches. Why do you need to go on a baseball field or track with your dog? I brought my son to a baseball field to get ready for Little League and what did I find all over the field? Dog turds. I ran on the Sheehan track and also found dog turds.
This has been brought up before. People let their dog do their thing everywhere and then leave it. It's all about morals and standards which we have less of nowadays. The only way to stop it is through strict enforcement, and with all the budget cuts, good luck with that. It's just like everything else. A few morons ruin it for everyone else.

[catnap]

Personally I think people get just a little to riled up about dog poo - there are far more important issues at hand.

[RC12L4]

Personally I think people get just a little to riled up about dog poo - there are far more important issues at hand.

Really? Imagine going out in to your own backyard and stepping in dog poo when you don't own a dog but the neighbor across the street does and lets the dog out every morning to wander through every ones yard to take a dump.

Well if it's no big deal send me your name and address and I'll gladly dump my neighbors dog poo on your front steps every morning.

[catnap]

Really? Imagine going out in to your own backyard and stepping in dog poo when you don't own a dog but the neighbor across the street does and lets the dog out every morning to wander through every ones yard to take a dump.

Well if it's no big deal send me your name and address and I'll gladly dump my neighbors dog poo on your front steps every morning.

I would say that if you would truly go out of your way to vandalize another persons property for stating an opinion, you prove my point.

I'd rather deal with the dog crap, then people like you.

[RC12L4]

I would say that if you would truly go out of your way to vandalize another persons property for stating an opinion, you prove my point.

I'd rather deal with the dog crap, then people like you.

You say that now but when you're stepping in crap in your own backyard because your neighbors dog uses your grass as a toilet I'm willing to bet your tune would change.

[iwantwallingfordbetter]

You say that now but when you're stepping in crap in your own backyard because your neighbors dog uses your grass as a toilet I'm willing to bet your tune would change.

maybe a fence is in order....protect your property and stimulate the local economy at the same time....use some of that bonus money....

[rapuda]

Personally I think people get just a little to riled up about dog poo - there are far more important issues at hand.

There are more important issues this is true, but stepping in dog poop is very frustrating when you realize it's so inconsiderate of someone else at your expense. Imagine............

hitting fly balls to your kid and he steps in dog poop in the outfield of a baseball field, and then having to scrape it off his cleats.

walking along the beach enjoying a sunset barefoot and you step in dog poop and it oozes between your toes.

riding a bike path with your family and your kid rolls through dog poop and the tire flings it up in the air.

running on an outdoor track and you step in dog poop and then have to scrape it off your running shoes.

going into a cemetery and seeing a big pile next to a head stone.

I could go on further, but I'm sure I made my point. I agree with RC on the back yard comment. I have the same problem. ( I won't bring it to your house though)

People are so inconsiderate. If you say something, your not minding your own business, or some whack job will shoot you.

Anybody see "I love you man?" What the character and his dog do is funny because it's a movie, but that actually happens in real life. (it wouldn't be funny if it was you)

[RC12L4]

maybe a fence is in order....protect your property and stimulate the local economy at the same time....use some of that bonus money....

Spend money I a fence to keep my neighbor's dog out of my yard? I much prefer using a shovel and depositing on their front steps with a "I think this is yours" note attached.

[jma]

As a dog owner, I understand how frustrating it is to non-dog owners when people let their dogs crap everywhere. It's equally frustrating to responsible dog-owners. We have limited places to bring our pets, and these idiots make it more difficult.

Instead of whining about it, I bring extra poop bags on walks. I often pick up other piles along with my dog's waste. Many times, I've picked it up in front of the dog's owner and handed the owner the "wrapped gift". I smiled sweetly saying, I'm sure you must have forgotten your poop bags, so I'm happy to help. Have a great day!" I've seen some of these owners on future walks picking up their dog's poop.

It doesn't work with everyone, but at least I'm doing my part to keep these areas open for my dogs.

[rapuda]

Nice job jma. You're better than me. I wouldn't pick up someone else's mess.

[RC12L4]

As a dog owner, I understand how frustrating it is to non-dog owners when people let their dogs crap everywhere. It's equally frustrating to responsible dog-owners. We have limited places to bring our pets, and these idiots make it more difficult.

Instead of whining about it, I bring extra poop bags on walks. I often pick up other piles along with my dog's waste. Many times, I've picked it up in front of the dog's owner and handed the owner the "wrapped gift". I smiled sweetly saying, I'm sure you must have forgotten your poop bags, so I'm happy to help. Have a great day!" I've seen some of these owners on future walks picking up their dog's poop.

It doesn't work with everyone, but at least I'm doing my part to keep these areas open for my dogs.

But what you didn't see was the owner tossing the poop filled bag back down on the ground after you walk away, so now instead of a pile of poop it's a pile of poop in a non biodegradable bag.

Win/Win!!

[gocart]

Personally I think people get just a little to riled up about dog poo - there are far more important issues at hand.

If I purchased the plot for the enormous amount of money they go for, I too would be ****ed! You go to the cemetary to pay respects, not to have to skip around dog crap.

[Modica]

If I purchased the plot for the enormous amount of money they go for, I too would be ****ed! You go to the cemetary to pay respects, not to have to skip around dog crap.
Yeah, those goose droppings in Cheshire are really annoying. All the Cheshirites will get goose poop all over their designer shoes. Oh my!

[iwantwallingfordbetter]

just learn to walk with your head down....problem solved....maybe even pick up some change......

[beemer18]

:mad: Im sooo sick of everying saying how dog owners have limitedareas to walk there dogs. I am a dog owner myself and there are parks in every single town!Not to mention you can use your own back yard. So when people say the choices are slim and spaces limited I completeley disagree, what about the families who are visiting there departed loved ones a cemetery is the only place you can do that,and they dont have much of a choice being there so if you are bringing pets to visit thats fine just keep them off the graves and dont let them leave a mess and if your using it just to walk your dog find another spot thats not offending others.

[CTYankee]

...Instead of whining about it, I bring extra poop bags on walks. I often pick up other piles along with my dog's waste. ...at least I'm doing my part to keep these areas open for my dogs.

Kudos to you!

I live near Sacred Heart, and often walk my dog there and visit departed relatives and friends. I would NEVER allow my dog to "use" a headstone as a marker, nor do I leave a mess behind. I enjoy walking my dog there and will continue to do so.