Disgust as pets desecrate war graves

Sylvia, aged 65, of Stannington Road, Stannington, goes at least once a month to St Mary's Cemetery, in Waller Road, Walkley, to tend to and tidy up 43 graves of servicemen killed in both world wars.

She has been working as a volunteer at the overgrown cemetery for the last 20 years, since her mother was buried there alongside other family members.

But Sylvia says her job is being made increasingly difficult by thoughtless dog owners who couldn't care less where their pets do their business.

"One grave today had four piles of dog dirt on it - it's disgusting and it's disrespectful," she said.

"It's not as if there isn't somewhere more suitable nearby - there's plenty of space for dog walking on the Bole Hills. The cemetery as a whole looks a mess, which is a real shame.

"There used to be several of us who helped tidy things up but now it's just me.

"I just wish people with dogs would make my job a bit easier and be more considerate," she added.

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