THE desecration of the memorial garden at Bowhill Cemetery by some dog owners has upset one regular visitor to it, while members of the Cardenden Community Development Forum are very unhappy.

Mrs Sandra Brown visits the Memorial Garden on a regular basis as a plaque in her son's memory is there.

Regularly she has been confronted by considerable volumes of dog fouling on making her visits which she feels is totally unacceptable.

Also concerned are local councillor, Rosemary Liewald; the Forum's David Taylor; and the Central Fife Community Safety Panel.

Councillor Liewald said: "We are fully aware that dog walkers will enter the cemetery and have a right to do so, however, these walkers have a responsibility to the public space around them.

"The signage regarding dog fouling is clear and visible for all to see. However, there is another issue of respect which must be given to the fact that this is a Graveyard where our Commonwealth graves, our miners, their families and the loved ones of this village and beyond are laid to rest".

Mr Taylor added: "The Memorial Garden was created several years ago by the Cardenden Community Development Forum as an area of respect, reflection and solace for those who wish to come and rest quietly and peacefully while remembering their loved one . "To now sadly see the selfish and disrespectful actions of dog owners allowing their dog to defecate in, on and around graves is quite shameful and we ask that this stops".

Crime Prevention Panel chair, Cardenden man Dave Roy, commented: "The signs say it all,'WANTED, information on owners who fail to clean up after their dog'.

"It is totally wrong and illegal so hopefully local pet owners will ensure that they change their approach and clean up after their animals or maybe we can urge the dog wardens to keep a close eye on the cemetery."

Councillor Liewald concluded: "This really is totally wrong and so very disrespectful.

"If we can urge the dog owners who are ignoring the signs to take on board what is said on them then it would make a difference. If necessary we will have to look at other ways of sorting this out."