IRRESPONSIBLE owners have been slammed for failing to clean up after their dogs while walking them in Helensburgh Cemetery.

Janet Begg, from the Friends of Helensburgh Cemetery, says she has noticed a significant increase in the amount of dog fouling in the area – and in the number of dog owners allowing their pets to wander around the cemetery without a lead.

Janet plans to tackle the dog fouling problem by holding a community clean-up this weekend – and has invited anyone who shares her concern, and wants to help tidy up the cemetery, to join in.

She told the Advertiser: “I’m being inundated with calls from people who are really upset about the number of dogs who are being allowed into the cemetery to do their business, and whose owners aren’t cleaning up after them.

“I’ve worked really hard over the years to get the place up to a certain standard, but I really think people now have to start taking responsibility for their own dogs.

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“The problem has definitely got worse during the lockdown. I think it’s getting worse on the streets too. But how difficult is it to put your dog on a lead and clean up after them?”

In the early days of the lockdown, the Advertiser reported on concerns over dog fouling in Helensburgh's Duchess Wood – though on that occasion the problem was not pet owners failing to clean up, but of owners putting their dog's waste in a bag and then leaving it on top of an already full litter bin.

Janet set up the Friends group following the death of her father in 2002, but over the years, as people have died or moved away, its membership has dwindled to the point where only Janet and her friend Mary Hanratty are left.

“My parents are buried in that cemetery,” Janet continued.

“John Logie Baird and his wife are buried there, and hundreds of other local people’s friends and family are there too.

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“I’ve phoned the council ­– I want to see a big sign up as you come in telling you to keep your dog on a lead and clean up after it, or you’ll be fined.

“To treat the place in this way is so disrespectful.”

As well as being the last resting place of John Logie Baird and his wife Celia, Helensburgh Cemetery also contains a monument to former British Prime Minister Andrew Bonar Law.

Forty Commonwealth service personnel – 21 who lost their lives in the First World War, and another 19 who died during WW2 – are also buried in the cemetery, which is owned by Argyll and Bute Council.

Janet is planning to hold a clean-up in the cemetery between 12 noon and 1pm this Sunday, June 7.

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Social distancing rules will be strictly observed, and Janet says she will provide bin bags for anyone who would like to help.

For more information about the clean-up or the Friends group, call Janet on 01436 673826.

A spokesperson for Argyll and Bute Council said: “We would urge dog owners to behave responsibly and to clean up after their pets.

“Our dog fouling wardens carry out enforcement patrols across Argyll and Bute, and the public can help us by contacting our customer service centre on 01546 605514 and providing information which assists the wardens in addressing the issue and potentially catching offending dog owners in the act of not cleaning up after their pet.”

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