by Alan Quick

A CREDITON woman has told the “Courier” she was “upset and angry” after witnessing a man’s dog fouling on graves and floral tributes in Crediton Cemetery in Old Tiverton Road.

The woman, who asked not to be named, said the middle-aged man, who she had seen walking his dog in the Cemetery on a number of occasions, made no attempt to clear up the faeces left by the dog.

She said: “I could not help being upset and angry.

“The man should show some respect for the dead and not allow his dog to foul in the cemetery.

“It is not a park, it is sacred ground and he should know better.”

Mid Devon District Council cares for the Crediton Cemetery, which opened in 1925 as the parish churchyard became full.

The council states among the cemetery regulations on its website: “No dogs are permitted to enter or to remain in the Cemetery unless kept continuously on a leash and under proper control.

“Dogs must not be allowed to foul the Cemetery and any excrement must be removed by the person in control of the dog.”

The incident of dog fouling has since been reported to Mid Devon District Council.

The ancient chapel of St John the Baptist was moved from an isolated site near Thorverton and re-erected as the cemetery chapel in 1925. Records show that the chapel was in existence in 1425 and was used as cottages before being restored for sacred purposes by Sir John Shelley.

The Cemetery has space in consecrated and unconsecrated ground, for private and public graves. The original Garden of Remembrance is now full and a new one has been started.

Crediton’s clean air has encouraged the growth of many interesting lichens and wildflowers in the Cemetery.

In the future Mid Devon District Council says it hopes to work with Devon Wildlife Trust to develop a maintenance plan that will further encourage their protection and growth.

Many of the older graves are covered with sempervivums which create a spectacular display in early summer.

Pedestrian access is maintained to the cemetery at all times but children under the age of 15 years are not allowed in the Cemetery except under the care of a responsible person.

No cycling is permitted in the cemetery and similarly no unauthorised vehicles are permitted.

If anyone sees anyone walking their dog in the cemetery they can contact Bereavement Services on 01884 255255 or email: [email protected] .

• Crediton Town Council, as part of its “Keep Crediton Clean” campaign, has free dog poo bags available from the Council Offices, Market Street, Crediton.

The public are asked to dispose of the bags responsibly either in a dog bin, a litter bin or at home in a general waste bin.