Dog Fouling in the Churchyard

Users of the churchyard may have seen the new stencilled notices on the paths. It is sad to have to say it, but this is because dog fouling in the churchyard has plumbed new depths.The Leyhill working party that used to cut the churchyard grass said that of all the public spaces in which they worked, Painswick churchyard was the worst for dog fouling. The Parish Council have since taken over cutting the churchyard grass and their operatives have had a similar experiences, with dog muck sticking to the machinery and the strimmer splattering it over the operator. This year, for the first time, Tree Maintenance Ltd who cut the yew trees have complained about dog excrement contaminating the tarpaulins they use to collect the cuttings.Dog walkers are asked to remember to keep all dogs on a lead when in the churchyard and to clear up after their dog. There are dog waste bins for this purpose. There are sizeable fines, up to £1,000, for those who do not clear away their dog's fouling – don't be the one to "fall foul" of these.Dylan Davies, Lindsay Gardiner, Churchwardens, Roy Balgobin, Clerk to Parish Council