On 17th February 2025, Keswick town councillors discussed the ongoing issue of dog fouling in the town’s parks, particularly Fitz Park. The issue has been causing concern among local residents and park users, but finding a feasible solution has proven challenging.
Vivien Little, the clerk for Keswick Parks Charitable Trusts, reported that while most dogs in Fitz Park are well-behaved, a few owners neglect their responsibilities, leaving waste behind. She mentioned that the problem is not isolated to the parks, with reports of dog fouling in other areas of the town as well. The large, open space of Fitz Park makes it difficult to enforce any strict measures, especially when trying to ensure dogs remain on leads.
Although the councillors acknowledged the difficulty of enforcement, they agreed that steps should still be taken to improve the situation. One of the proposed actions is to purchase “clean it up” stencils to be placed in various areas of the park. Councillor Louise Dunn also volunteered to create signs and leaflets aimed at promoting responsible dog ownership, while the clerk will share information on social media to raise awareness.
Despite the challenges, the councillors emphasized the importance of trying to address the issue and encourage more responsible behavior from dog owners in the community.