Daventry dog walkers fight PSPO
Molly Everett, who runs Molly 4 Paws, has started an online petition calling for professional dog walkers to continue to be allowed to walk six dogs at a time after West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) introduced a public space protection order (PSPO) on 1 November.
The order, which was introduced after a six-week consultation between February and April, stops anyone from walking more than four dogs at a time in the South Northamptonshire and Daventry districts.
The petition has so far attracted more than 500 signatures.
Councillor David Smith, Cabinet Member for Community Safety & Engagement and Regulatory Services at West Northamptonshire Council, told Daventry Express: “When considering the proposals for the PSPO consultation, consideration was given to the Professional Dog Walkers’ Guidelines which advises dog owners, local authorities and dog walkers on best practice. They were produced and endorsed by The Dogs Trust, RSPCA, Canine and Feline Sector Group, and The Pet Industry Federation.
“We are aware that some professional dog walkers have been raising concerns about the PSPO and so we will be looking into these and the possibility of licensing those who can demonstrate good practice, such as insurance, in helping to address these issues whilst ensuring the order continues to be as effective as possible in protecting our environment.”
One Comment
David Pearce
I have been a dog trainer since 1985, Advanced since 1992 and have also been running DOGMANNERS.NET for twenty years sorting problems which most start at home and then progress to the lead walk syndrome; Agresion.
If you walk more than TWO dogs at a time that is pure greed for dog walkers!! More dogs walked at a time more money at a time and problems when aproached by posibly an unatended dog or may be another dog with a responsible owner having to run the gauntlet with there dog on a lead.
David Pearce