“The absence of regulation has created a gap in accountability”
An NI local authority is declaring war on unscrupulous and untrained professional dog walkers, who councillors believe have become a threat to public safety.
A committee at Ards and North Down Borough Council has agreed a motion by the Green Party to limit the number of dogs that any one person may be in charge of to a maximum of four in public, and it is asking Stormont for mandatory registration of professional dog walkers.
At the September meeting of the Ards and North Down Environment Committee, the chamber unanimously supported a call by Green Councillors Lauren Kendall and Barry McKee.
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The motion states: “This council, as a “Dog Friendly Borough” recognises the increasing use of public parks and footpaths by professional and recreational dog walkers, and the need to balance animal welfare, public safety, and the enjoyment of public spaces for all our borough’s residents.
“Multiple dogs under the control of a single individual may pose challenges to effective management and public safety. Excessive numbers of dogs being walked simultaneously can lead to increased risk of dog fights, interference with other park users, fouling, and uncontrolled behaviour.
“There has been an increasing number of professional dog walkers, offering services within the borough and there is a lack of licensing, registration or other requirements which may lead to inadequate insurance, training and experience, adding further potential risks to people and pets.”
Council officers will produce a report outlining the costs and steps required to introduce a local restriction under the relevant provisions of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environments Act (Northern Ireland) 2011. Councillors will then have the decision whether or not to limit the number of dogs that any one person may be in charge of to a maximum of four, at any given time in public spaces.
The motion states the local restrictions will mandate that professional dog walkers must have dogs on leads at all times “to ensure dog control and accountability for dog behaviours.”
The report will also look at the provision and cost of a public education campaign to inform residents, recreational and professional dog walkers about the new limit, and promote responsible dog control and safety in shared spaces.
The council will also write to the Minister at the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to ask him to introduce, and provide funding support to councils to enforce, mandatory registration of professional walkers. The motion states mandatory registration will “help to ensure suitable animal welfare standards, the provision of suitable training, experience, insurance and public safety.”
Many local authorities across the UK, including Belfast City Council, have introduced limits on the number of dogs that may be walked at one time. If a person is caught in control of more than four dogs at one time in Belfast, they can receive a £80 fixed penalty notice. The Belfast Council website states: “If you have a dog, you must keep it on a lead in public places in Belfast.”
Councillor Lauren Kendall said in the chamber during the Ards and North Down meeting: “We have seen a significant rise in recreational dog walking and the number of professional dog walkers in our parks and public spaces, and as a dog lover and owner, I can only understand the companionship that having a dog as your friend brings.
“While I think this is a positive sign of community engagement and the love of dogs, it brings challenges. While dog control is generally challenging, it is also specifically challenging when multiple dogs are under control of a single individual.
“Increased number of dogs can lead to risks of dog fights, fouling, interference with other park users and other uncontrolled behaviour. Many residents, as well as myself, have been subject to incidents of uncontrolled dogs, and dog fouling is a councillor’s bread and butter.
“Dog issues and attacks are not limited to specific breeds or types of owners. Irresponsible dog ownership and control is unfortunately common.”
Councillor Barry McKee said: “The landscape of dog ownership has changed significantly since coronavirus>Covid. The rise in professional dog walking services is a response to modern lifestyles, and while many of these services are well-intentioned and beneficial, the absence of regulation has created a gap in accountability, and without clear standards we risk undermining both animal welfare and public safety.”
He said: “This is not an attack on professional dog walkers, this is a call for responsibility and structure, just as we require licences for driving, food handling or childcare. It is reasonable to expect those entrusted with the care of multiple animals in public spaces should meet standards of training, insurance and conduct.”
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