Corrigan Dog Cemetery grows as tourists from around country visit graves

A monument of a dog's head by a highway in Western Australia's Wheatbelt marks the graves of more than 200 dogs and is drawing increasing numbers of tourists.

The proud, erect dog's head has kept watch over its stretch of highway for decades.

The pricked-up ears and stony snout of the statue mark the entry to one of Australia's most unique memorials and tourist attractions, the Corrigin Dog Cemetery, 235 kilometres south-east of Perth.

Rows of graves behind the statue remember the names of more than 200 dogs from across the country that barked at heaven's door and were let in.

For Corrigin local Brett Connelly, the dog cemetery is the final chapter in Australia's love affair with dogs.

"When you think of Australia, every farmer, every station owner, everyone that has a ute has a dog on it, even in the city," he said.

"You've got Red Dog, stories of Aussies with their dogs. This is the end of the story right here."

Letting sleeping dogs lie

The cemetery began in 1974 when local man Paddy Wright searched for a place to bury his beloved dog Strike. 

The Shire of Corrigin sent the ex-serviceman 5 kilometres west of town along Brookton Highway.

"[The shire] said there's a bit of sand out there. It's nice and soft on the hill, put him out there," Mr Connelly said.

"Like all small towns, people noticed it and a few others decided they would bury their dogs there too.

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