Some councillors insist Keswick needs to shake off its ‘most dog-friendly town in the UK’ tag to bring to heel some of the problems being created by canines and their owners.
Town councillors were discussing a letter from a visitor who had spent a week in Keswick during the June heatwave who was concerned about the welfare of dogs during the hot weather.
“At the hottest part of the day, I have seen owners walking their dogs around the town in sweltering heat, many of whom I am sure do not realise the temperature of the pavements/asphalt they are walking on,” said the letter, adding: “I believe that more owners should be made aware of just how uncomfortable their dogs probably are.
“I wondered if it might be possible during the busy summer period to have signage up in Keswick to make more people aware.”
Cllr Jean Murray, who works at Keswick Tourist Information Centre, said it was a matter that concerned her and she said: “You see a lot of people dragging their dogs along in the hot weather. We have had people come in with dogs that have collapsed and we have had to take action to stop dogs dying.
“It’s very distressing to try and revive a dog that has been dragged around town and is on the floor gasping for breath.”
She said that owners visiting Keswick were unable to leave their pets in caravans, cars and tents because it was too hot but added that they needed to demonstrate some common sense.
Cllr Louise Dunn said that it was the dog-friendly town designation, which Keswick had been awarded for the past four years, which was driving people to visit the town with their pets along with the town’s association with Max the Miracle Dog.
“I feel like getting in touch with the organisation that gives Keswick the dog friendliest town title and ask them to designate another town,” she said.
Cllr Murray said the accolade comes from the Kennel Club as part of a best place to take your dog on holiday competition it runs which members of the public vote for. She said that the Dog and Gun always wins the most friendliest pub to take a dog award.
She said that the RSPCA and the Dogs Trust have free animal welfare posters available which organisations and businesses could display around the town.
But Cllr Tim Parsons said: “I am not convinced that even if we put posters up it’s going to make any difference.”
He was supported by Cllr Rob Nelson, who said: “This is an absolute nonsense. How is putting signs up around the town going to make any difference?”
It was also suggested that the council link up with Podgy Paws to do something about responsible dog ownership. Another concern was that dogs on extendable leads going through the market were a trip hazard.
Cllr Sally Lansbury said that the message from the town council should be that the centre of Keswick is not a suitable place for dogs but the area around is perfect.
In previous editions The Keswick Reminder has reported complaints about the town’s Market Square smelling of dog urine because of the large influx of summer visitors and their four-legged friends.
The town clerk is to respond to the letter writer to say that councillors had considered their complaint and suggestion. The clerk is also to make contact with the RSPCA and Dogs Trust about posters and Podgy Paws about ways to promote responsible dog ownership.
