A DUNFERMLINE family were left sickened after finding dog mess at the grave of a baby boy.

Alexander Stewart (47), of Brucefield, was upset and angry to visit the grave of his great-nephew, who died in July following heart problems after his birth, and find it covered in dog mess.

Now, he is asking dog owners to be more responsible and think about the effect it has on grieving families.

“I had never been up to the cemetery before until the tragic circumstances with my niece’s little boy,” he said.

“It was very sad. We had the funeral in Dunfermline and we’ve all been going up on a regular basis to visit and put flowers down.

“When I see that the dogs have fouled on it I get angry and upset. It’s horrendous, you just don’t let them do that. It was upsetting for my niece and I was upset too and then it turned to anger.

“I felt I had to do something so I’m trying to get the point through the hurt they’re causing to people already grieving. It’s tough.

“I’m sure many of them don’t think they’re doing anything wrong but it’s hard to believe that they don’t think in some small way that it’s wrong, it’s so disrespectful.

“A cemetery is supposed to be a place of respect. A place you can go and remember the ones you’ve loved and lost. A pet owner allowing their dogs to foul on lairs is possibly one of the most disrespectful things they can do.

“How would they feel if someone allowed their dog to foul on a loved one’s lair? It’s a place of respect and should be treated like one.” Alexander has tried to talk to the dog owners he has seen while visiting the cemetery, politely asking them to put their dogs on a leash, but some of the responses he has received have been shocking.

“The abuse I get from some people is unbelievable,” he said. “I’ve been sworn at and ignored.

“It makes me frustrated because I’m asking them politely. It’s a place of respect and it’s not appropriate.

“If I manage to get even one or two people to stop doing it then it will be worth it. I just want to make people think about it and stop and understand the hurt they are causing.” Councillor Gavin Yates, executive spokesperson for community health and wellbeing, said the environmental enforcement team had stepped up patrols and was urging the public to report people they saw committing dog-fouling offences.

“Incidents like this are understandably distressing for families visiting our cemeteries and I hope that the increased presence of the environmental enforcement team will lead to improvements at Dunfermline Cemetery,” he said.

“We’re thankful to the responsible dog walkers who observe the signs and ensure their dogs are kept under control within these facilities, but must highlight this problem won’t be tolerated in our local communities.” The Press has been running a campaign throughout the year urging West Fifers to shop the lazy owners who treat our streets and facilities as a toilet.

To report instances of dog-fouling, call 03451 55 00 22 or email environmental.enforcement@fife.gov.uk.