GRIEVING families have been horrified to find dog dirt on the graves of their loved ones.

Hyndburn Council’s environmental health dep-artment has received more than a dozen complaints in the last week from appalled family members with relatives in Dill Hall Lane, Accrington and Great Har-wood Cemeteries.

Department head Tony Akrigg said: "We have had a large number of complaints about dog fouling in cemeteries across the borough and we have already taken measures to combat the problem.

"We have increased patrols by the dog warden to three a day, seven days a week, and we are using this opportunity to make dog owners more aware of the problem.

"This problem is not caused by all dog owners, it is a small minority who have no regard for other people."

Milnshaw ward councillor Malcolm Pritchard said: "It’s absolutely disgusting that dog owners can show such little respect for the dead.

"How would they feel if it was their father, mother or other loved one in the ground and a dog was fouling on their graves?

"I intend to file a motion at the next full council meeting on 22 April to try and ban dogs from all the cemeteries in Hyndburn.

"That way dog owners will have no excuse to even be in the grounds or to leave any unwanted mess."

Hyndburn dog warden, Steve Wood, warned: "Anybody who is not cleaning up their dog dirt needs to be careful because I am watching.

"I have been authorised to put a lot of time and effort into this and if you are responsible I’ll catch you.

"I have a lot of high-tech equipment at my fingertips, so even if you can’t see me I could still be collecting evidence against you."

Anybody caught not cleaning up their dog mess can expect a £75 fixed penalty notice, which can be reduced to £50 if it is paid within 10 days.