Agenda item

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development.

Further to Minute No. 50, 8^th November 2010, the Board was reminded that at that meeting it had considered the Executive Board’s proposals to introduce Dog Control Orders in the City, and had recommended a reduction from 6 to 4 in respect of the maximum number of dogs which may be walked by one person.  This recommendation had been accepted, and the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods had subsequently taken a delegated decision to implement that reduction.

Representations against this decision had been received from various quarters in the City, including professional dog walkers, and the Board was being requested today to review its previous recommendation. 

In attendance at the meeting and responding to Members’ queries and comments, were:-

-  Councillor Tom Murray – Executive Member, Environmental  Services.

-  Graham Wilson - Head of Environmental Action and Parking.

-  Stacey Campbell – Team Leader, Health and Environmental Action Service.

-  Richie Womersley, Charlotte Hanson and Anne Birdsall – Representing professional dog walking businesses.

In brief summary, the main points of discussion were:-

·  The representatives of the professional dog walkers explained about dog behaviour and psychology, about the professional manner in which they operated their businesses and the serious financial effects on businesses of restricting the number of dogs allowed to be walked by one person to four instead of the originally proposed six, which was the figure contained in the DEFRA guidance.  They were also concerned regarding the complete lack of consultation with them before the proposals had been introduced.  As responsible professionals and business people, they were happy to work with the Council regarding the possible introduction of a Code of Conduct, similar to the one operating in Harrogate, or even to contemplate a dog walking licensing system and exempt areas of land if that helped to allay Members’ and the public’s fears.

·  Members acknowledged the points made.  However, they also had a duty to take into account the wider picture.  Over two-thirds (68%) of the public who had responded as part of the public consultation exercise had indicated that they felt that 4 or less dogs was the maximum number any one person could safely walk, keep under control and clean up after.  The orders also applied to members of the public and unofficial dog walkers.  There was real fear, not perceived or misplaced, amongst the public when confronted by a large number of dogs which may be out of control.  Education of dog owners was an issue, and no-one could legislate for all irresponsible dog owners or walkers, no matter what the number of dogs contained in the orders.  A code of conduct and the licensing of dog walkers, linked to a public campaign, might have some merit. Reference was made to houses in multiple occupation, which commenced as a voluntary code and then evolved into a licensing system with the support of local landlords.

·  Graham Wilson stated that currently local authorities had no legislative powers to introduce a licensed dog walkers scheme.  If it was proposed that a voluntary scheme should be looked at, then obviously there would be staffing implications and administrative costs, which would have to be passed on to the licence holder, in the same way that the current dog-boarding scheme operated.  He suggested that if Members were minded for him to explore this option, then, in the interim, the number contained in the current Order, no more than 4 dogs per person, should remain, with officers retaining the current discretion to allow up to 6 dogs, providing they were being walked responsibly.

If a voluntary licensing scheme was progressed then anyone, for example, professional dog walkers, but the public too, wishing to walk more than 4 dogs would be licensed.  Such licenses would be subject to review, renewal and possible revocation.

Consultation was about to commence on Phase 2 of the Order, which related to dogs being kept on leads whenever the owner was requested to do so by an authorised officer and dogs being excluded from prescribed areas, e.g. children’s play areas, football pitches.  A report would be going to all Area Committees in March/April to help identify these proposed exclusion zones, following which the public and professional groups would be consulted – including professional dog walkers.  The intention was then to report back to the Scrutiny Board and the Executive Board with a view to the new regulations being introduced early in 2012.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the status quo be maintained pending consultation over the introduction of Phase 2 of the Order and a report back to this Board.

b)  That the officers, in consultation with the dog walkers, investigate the possible benefits and practicalities of introducing a voluntary licensing scheme for dog walkers, allied to a code of conduct and a public campaign, and include their findings in the above report back to the Board.

(NB:  Councillor P Wadsworth left the meeting at 12.12 pm at the conclusion of this item.)