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No booze, solicitation or dog walking allowed

Changes to the city’s cemetery bylaw have caused a stir amongst dog lovers in Timmins.
 Among the changes is a total ban on pets on cemetery properties, unless given special permission, such as service dogs.

Changes to the city’s cemetery bylaw have caused a stir amongst dog lovers in Timmins.


Among the changes is a total ban on pets on cemetery properties, unless given special permission, such as service dogs.

The bylaw also includes bans on motorcycles, snowmobiles, ATV’s, alcohol, littering, solicitation in all forms, and driving over 20 km, on all cemetery properties. 


Councillor Noella Rinaldo spoke firmly about her support of the amendments.

“I would be amiss if I didn’t bring this up, because my husband has brought it up to me a few times. It is very hard for bylaw, during a normal day to see somebody bringing in their dog. The disrespect of some of those dogs is astounding to him. I’m hoping the public understands that, dogs are not allowed in the cemetery unless there is special permission. They make it very clear. That is one thing that he has noticed, there’s a lot of disrespect, a lot of people are using the cemetery as a dog walking park” she said.

On Monday evening, council passed 1st and 2nd reading of the changes.

Mayor Steve Black said this was to provide a timeline for feedback to come before they passed 3rd reading, which makes them official.

Councillor Pat Bamford encouraged all residents of Timmins to familiarize themselves with the bylaw.

“It’s an education at the very least. It touches many people, especially on the emotional level, so it would be nice if the general public were really aware that this is there, not to create a controversy, but to make sure that there’s feedback and everyone feels that they’re part of the decision making in this city” he said.


Lynne Grenon is the cemetery manager for the city.

She spoke with TimminsToday to provide some clarification of the amended bylaws.

If people are spotted on cemetery grounds with a dog, the procedure will be straightforward.

“You can’t just come in and start walking your dog. They’ll be approached and told that the bylaw does not allow for pets in the cemetery. It will be suggested that they leave their pets in their vehicle,” she said.

She acknowledged that it will take some time before everyone in Timmins becomes familiar with the new rules.

“It may offend some, but others will say ‘good’ because last summer I had quite a few complaints. They are the people who use it the most,” says Grenon.

One of the contributors to the bylaw amendment is the waste created by animals and left on the property by careless owners.

Timmins has a ‘Poop and Scoop’ bylaw. It reads: 

“Every Guardian not being a blind person or disabled person shall immediately remove and dispose of any excrement left by their dog.”

Grenon says that pets may be able to attend funeral services if a request is made.

The City of Timmins operates three municipal cemeteries; Timmins Memorial, Tisdale and Whitney.