The council voted unanimously to prohibit pets from entering cemeteries in Hillsdale. Alexandra Comus | Collegian

Due to citizens’ complaints about animals relieving themselves on the burial grounds, the Hillsdale City Council banned pets from cemeteries earlier this month. 

On Oct. 16, the council voted unanimously to prohibit pets from entering cemeteries in Hillsdale. 

In the time set aside for public comments, residents of Hillsdale expressed their support for the prohibition.

Kim Tucker, a resident of Hillsdale, said she frequently encounters dog poop when she goes to the cemetery to visit her daughter’s remains.

“I have seen people going to the back of the cemetery to let their dogs relieve themselves, because it is secluded,” she said.

Tucker said some people visit the graveyard for the sole purpose of letting their animals out.

“It’s not just people who go to walk their dogs, either,” Tucker said. “I’ve witnessed people driving into the cemetery to let their dogs loose. They let them run wherever they want, and then they whistle for the dogs to come back before leaving.”

Frank Engle, sexton at Oak Grove Cemetery, said dog owners have not been accountable for their pets in the cemeteries.

“Dogs should not be allowed to run freely to defecate and urinate on burial grounds wherever they want,” Engle said. “People do not clean up after them, no matter if they are on or off-leash.”

Richard Smith, a member of the cemetery board, said people should be more considerate for the families who have loved ones in the cemetery. 

“People go to cemeteries in order to respect the people there,” Smith said.“They don’t want to step over dog poop, and I’ve been to some funerals recently where I’ve had to do that.”

Smith said that allowing animals to relieve themselves in the cemetery was also disrespectful to the people who work there.

“You can’t expect the sexton to go in there and clean up dog poop,” Smith said.“That’s not what he’s paid to do.”

Engle said dogs have made his work as a sexton unnecessarily difficult.

“I’ve been chased and almost bitten by dogs, and I’ve had to clean up after dogs before funerals,” Engle said.

At the meeting, no one advocated for pets to be allowed in the graveyards.

The council planned to deliberate in the future over the amount of money owners would be fined if they break the rule.

“People who come to grieve after the loss of a loved one should not have to deal with seeing the disrespect of others in plain sight on the ground,” Engle said.