Sandown selectmen debate banning dogs from cemetery, direct police to monitor

Sandown selectmen revisited an old-business item on May 4 after a resident submitted a letter about dogs causing disruptions in the town cemetery. The letter, provided in the selectmen's packet, referenced other towns that ban dogs from cemeteries; the selectmens draft under review had required dogs be leashed or "under handler control."

Town staff summarized the draft enforcement provisions as written: "dogs at large will be subject to immediate seizure," all dogs must be leashed or under handler control, owners must remove waste and violators could face a $25 fine, the staff member said while reviewing the packet.

Public commenters were split. One resident said the current schedule of deliberative sessions and other civic events already deters participation for working people, and that cemetery visits should be treated as quiet, sacrosanct spaces; another speaker argued that a narrow, enforceable leash-or-control standard would avoid "draconian" limits and that complaints appeared to be isolated.

Selectmen discussed enforcement and signage options and asked police to monitor the cemetery during regular patrols and to return with a report after Memorial Day. "I think that might be the best thing is to find out what's going on," the chair said when discussing a policing trial. Staff noted the town can regulate town-owned property by selectmen action without taking the issue to town vote.

Why it matters: The debate balances respect for gravesites and visitors' privacy with pet owners' use of town open space. The board did not adopt a permanent ban at the meeting but directed fact-finding and enforcement checks before any ordinance or signage is finalized.

Attribution: Summaries, words and proposed enforcement language come from the May 4 meeting transcript and the resident letter referenced in the packet.