press release archive
navigation and tools
in 'news'
You are here - home : news : press release archive
Archived Press Release
Originally created on: Tuesday 17 November, 2009
press release 17 November 2009
Hounding out the cowboy dog walkers
Council embarks on country’s first dog walker registration scheme
Dog walking is big business in Brighton & Hove - but how do you know that your pet is in safe hands?
Brighton & Hove City Council has taken the ‘lead’ and is set to become the first local authority in the country to invite dog walking businesses to undergo an inspection and sign up to a Code of Conduct.
The innovative scheme to register dog walkers in the city is being launched by the council on November 18.
The idea for the voluntary scheme came from the council’s Animal Welfare officers after hearing concerns from both members of the public and people offering dog walking services.
“Members of the public were worried about the growing number of people walking several dogs at once, and there were reports some behaving irresponsibly,” said Animal Welfare Officer Amanda Teale.
“In addition, people offering dog walking services approached us about the increasing numbers of what they described as ‘cowboy’ dog walkers.”
She added that after discussions with both groups, the council decided to set up its own dog walker’s code of conduct, to regulate the growing numbers of businesses and provide a list of reputable services.
Under the scheme dog walkers volunteer to undergo an inspection of any vehicles used for transporting animals, provide insurance information and sign up to a dog walker’s Code of Conduct. Companies that have signed up to the code of conduct and passed the inspection will be listed on the council’s website.
Councillor Geoffrey Theobald, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “Dog walking businesses have grown rapidly over past few years as owners return to work, or work longer hours. But until now, the only way to get a recommendation was through word of mouth.
“We’ve had a great response from dog walkers keen to get the council’s seal of approval for their businesses.
Those using dog walking services are also pleased that a list of businesses that have signed up to the code will now be available from the council.”
Professional dog walker Paul Simmons, who runs “Woofters,” based in Hove was one of the first to register and have his vehicle inspected by animal welfare officers.
“I think the dog walker registration scheme is a great idea,“ he said. “It will ensure that high standards are maintained by reputable businesses and for pet owners it will take the worry out of choosing a dog walker.”
“The majority of dog walkers work to a high standard but during the last year there has been an explosion of new businesses and some are clearly not up to scratch, “ he said.
“This new scheme should help keep standards up. It’s good for us, good for our customers and good for the city.”
Click for a new search, or press the back button on your browser to return to the search results.