Rules and Regulations for having dogs on the grounds:
1.
Control of animals at all times. All members/dog walkers must be in control of their dog(s), and aware of the location(s) of the dog(s) at all times. This applies to K9 Corps members, day-pass holders, and any individual who brings a dog to the cemetery.
2.
Limitation on dogs. Members/walkers are allowed to bring no more than three dogs onto the HCC grounds at one time.
3.
No exceptions policy on spay-neuter and vaccinations. All dogs walked in the Cemetery must be spayed or neutered and up-to-date on rabies and distemper vaccinations. Members and pass holders agree to provide such proof to HCC staff or the K9 Committee at any time upon request. Members must provide spay-neuter status and vaccination expiration dates at or after annual orientation, and pass holders at the time of their first day-pass purchase or upon request. Any and all dogs walked in the Cemetery must be spayed or neutered; no exceptions will be made to this policy, including for puppies that have not yet reached spay-neuter age.
4.
Cemetery closure to all dogs. The Cemetery is closed to dog walking between 11 a.m. and 3 m. every Saturday and on specific holidays, including Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Cemetery staff or the HCC Board of Directors may direct further closures on an as-needed basis, such as in response to a declared public health emergency. Members will be notified of changes through signage and via email/text.
5.
Dog walking is prohibited during ALL burials and services. The Cemetery will also be closed at other times for special events. Notifications of periodic closures for burials and events are posted on Twitter, Facebook, and CemeteryDogs.org; and signage indicating closure is placed at the HCC main gate. It is the walker’s responsibility to confirm that the Cemetery is open to dogs before visiting. To maintain the integrity of non-dog walking events, the owner of any dog found to be on the Cemetery grounds during closure hours will have their privileges immediately revoked.
6.
Respect for HCC visitors and other dog walkers. Even during non-closure hours, dogs must be kept away from individuals visiting grave sites, as well as any burial services, ceremonies, group tours, grounds maintenance crews, and all other non-dog walking visitors and All dog walkers are expected to show respect to their fellow walkers. Any individual who engages in abusive, hostile, or other inappropriate behavior that potentially endangers the safety and well-being of others may be permanently banned from entering the Cemetery.
7.
Respect for HCC grounds. All members/walkers must be respectful of the Cemetery monuments and grave markers. Because of the risk of damage and/or injury, do not sit or lean on the gravestones. Dogs, children, and others must not climb on the grassy areas covering the family vaults. Out of concern for the monuments and grounds, the use of balls, Frisbees, or dog toys of any kind is not permitted in the Cemetery. Members and the public are prohibited from using or bringing onto Cemetery grounds any wheeled devices, including but not limited to bicycles or any self-balancing personal transporters (e.g., motorized, or non-motorized scooters, skateboards, Segways, hoverboards, etc.). This prohibition does not apply to anyone who requires a medical device or uses a stroller or carrier exclusively for the purpose of carrying a child or pet.
8.
Cleaning up after dogs. Regardless of the weather or time of day or year, members/walkers must always clean up after all dogs, disposing of waste properly. If you see waste, please pick it up even if it was not left by your dog. Please bring a flashlight if you come after dusk.
9.
Leashing dogs at all times. ALL dogs must be on leash while on the premises for visiting the grave of a loved one. The only exceptions are for active K9 Corps members and paid day pass holders.
10.
Aggressive dogs and handling of incidents. Each and every incident of aggressive dog behavior that walkers are involved in, or witness must be reported via an Incident Report (web form at
cemeterydogs.org or hard copy available in HCC office). All walkers must strongly discourage rough or aggressive play by their dogs. Should an aggressive dog incident occur, the following apply:
a.
Apologies for aggressive behavior
b.
A report must be submitted to make HCC staff and the K9 Committee aware of each incident caused by an aggressive dog. The K9 Committee review these reports, in consultation with HCC staff. The K9 Committee will rule at its regular meetings on any action(s) necessary to enforce the K9 Corps rules.
c.
An exchange of contact information between parties will occur with every incident. If appropriate, parties are encouraged to resolve minor incidents among themselves. An incident report should still be submitted.
d.
Payment of any vet bills by the owner(s) of the aggressive dog(s) is mandatory.
e.
Dogs that engage in repeated instances of aggressive behavior may be required to be leashed or muzzled while on the cemetery grounds.
f.
Dogs that are deemed to be a danger (to humans, animals, or otherwise) by HCC and/or the K9 Committee will be banned from the Cemetery grounds.
