Dear Editor,
Re. Off Leash Dogs at Southampton Cemetery
I have been to the cemetery a number of times in the past while to look at the cremation lots and just to look at the cemetery as a whole.
Recently, I saw a woman with an off-leash dog and it was running all over the place. At one point, it stopped and, while it was a bit distant from me, appeared to be excreting (near a gravestone). The woman appeared to try to stop it but she also continued walking around with the dog following but also running hither and yon. More recently, I saw a man running with his off leash dog heading towards the cemetery. I do not know what happened in the cemetery on that occasion.
Leaving aside the criminal legality of disturbing remains, whether buried or not, and the by-law offence of having unleashed dogs running around and, leaving aside that the cemetery sign at its entrance says pets are to be on leash, it is behaviour that is unbelievably disrespectful.
It is very disturbing to have dogs having the run of an honoured place which is sacred to some, esteemed by others and where those who have passed away lie, and where people come to reflect and remember.
Greg Levine
Southampton
