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Deep within Devon's enchanting Haldon Forest lies an eerie sea of moss covered grave markers and burial cairns.

Missing from maps and shrouded from view, the haunting and serene area of woods near Haldon Belvedere is visited now and then by those who wish to mark their respects.

That's because underneath the fallen autumn leaves and soft earth lies scores of beloved pet animals.

The unofficial cemetery is believed to have hundreds of pets buried there, from hamsters to horses, and even a boa constrictor snake.

Nobody remembers how the sad and haunting spot came to be, but for many years gravestones and burial markers appeared regularly.

No signs marked its existence until the turn of the millennium when, among other reasons, fears for the safety of those who visited led to the building of a wire fence.

Below: Our gallery of photographs of the hidden pet cemetery

Even the longest serving rangers for the Forestry Commission, which maintains the 3,500 acre beauty spot 15 minutes away from Exeter, are baffled by its existence.

One told Devon Live how they "do not have a record of when burials began or who initiated this."

Adding: "The cemetery can still be seen over the safety fence approx. 20-30 metres from the roadside but it isn’t particularly easy to access as there isn’t an established trail leading to it."

poll loading Have you ever come actoss Haldon Forest's pet cemetery? 0+ VOTES SO FAR I have visited the cemetery I have never found it

The ban

The existence of the burial site came to the public's attention in 2001.

The Forestry Commission took the decision to fence off the site amid fears of a pollution threat to nearby rivers.

They also banned more animals being buried there.

They said the foot-and-mouth crisis that was splashed across international headlines had focused attention on animal disposal.

The site could never become a registered pet cemetery because of the contamination risk.

(Image: Richard Booth)

One bereaved pet owner of Hamlin Lane, Exeter, Sue Ashford, spoke of her anguish at the time.

She would regularly tend the grave of her family's beloved dog Kelly, a Labrador cross which died aged 15.

On the ban she said: "It's a lovely place where you can go and take flowers. It's going to be heartbreaking for families with children not being able to bury their pets there."

Patricia Hudson, of Exwick, expressed her heartbreak at no longer being able to visit the grave of her cat Megan.

She said: "It's so heartless to cut us off completely from our loyal, faithful and loving pets."

Jody Channing, of Whipton, had promised her late aunt that she would tend the graves of her two dogs, Candy and Taco.

Mrs Channing, who has three of her own cats at the cemetery, said: "She was most concerned that the family would tend the graves."

Today

Despite the ban, it appears as if new graves have appeared in the last 20 years. And fresh flowers rest on old ones.

But it comes despite the warnings of the forest rangers who plea for the public to stay away.

The site lies near an abandoned quarry, and it is feared people could hurt themselves trying to reach it.

But there could be a more terrifying reason to keep your distance.

In 1998 big cat experts visited Haldon Forest to prove, or disprove, the existence of a an animal roaming the ancient forest.

One man said he was sure he had seen a puma and that it may have been feeding off animals buried in a pet cemetery.

No evidence of a big cat was ever found - aside from mysterious footprints nearby.