A mother says she visits her daughter’s grave armed with
rubber gloves and a shovel – to clear up dog poo.

After reading about our Foul Play campaign, launched in
partnership with Swale council in January, Ruth Seager felt she had
to speak out.

Her daughter Juliette, who died 13 years ago, is buried in
Sheppey Cemetery in Halfway and Mrs Seager says she often goes down
there to find dog mess all around the grave.

Foul Play aims to cut down on inconsiderate dog owners, who do
not pick up after their pets, by hitting them with fines.

The grandmother-of-three says it has been a problem for years
and it is all around the graveyard in Halfway Road.

Mrs Seager, of Kent Avenue, Minster, said: “It’s disrespectful
and makes me so angry – it’s not just accidental.

“Because of the wet weather and the grass you don’t always see
it.

“We try to keep her grave nice but it happens time and time
again – it’s awful.

“It makes me really upset, especially when it’s right near
enough on top of my daughter’s grave.

Why do people do it? “We have got to try to put a stop to
it.”

She thinks the problem could have worsened now irresponsible dog
owners are being targeted in popular walking spots like The Leas,
so they might think they can get away with it in the graveyard.

Mrs Seager thinks it has been an issue in the cemetery for years
and suggested the council install a camera to try and deter people,
as she says there is also a problem with rubbish and thefts of
ornaments from graves.

Principal environment warden Geraldine Chidley said: “There is
no excuse for not clearing up after your dog.

“There are four bins at the cemetery, three at the Western
Avenue entrance and one at the Halfway Road entrance, and dog waste
can be deposited in any of these as long as it is in a bag.

“Those visiting the cemetery should be able to do so without
coming across waste that a dog owner has failed to clean up.

“Additional signs will be displayed in the cemetery reminding
dog owners of their responsibility to clean up after their dog and
another bin is going to be placed at the entrance of the cemetery
(near Western Avenue).

“Environment wardens will be carrying out additional patrols in
the area.”

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The Foul Play campaign is calling on Islanders to help the
council fix the problem.

The council is asking for reports of who is not picking up the
mess, where it is happening and when.

It is difficult for council wardens to catch people in the act
so information from those who see it happening will help them
target their resources more effectively and, hopefully, enable them
to identify those responsible.

Anyone spotted leaving piles of dog mess can be issued an
on-the-spot fixed penalty of £80, or £60 if paid within seven
days.

Failure to pay can result in prosecution, with a maximum £1,000
fine.

To report people who do not pick up their dog’s mess, call the council on 01795 417850 or go to www.swale.gov.uk