Professional dog walkers to pay £365 for licence

Professional dog walkers will soon have to pay £365 a year to walk on Banstead Commons, a group of conservators has said.

Banstead Commons Conservators (BCC) is implementing a professional dog walking licence scheme on Banstead Heath, Banstead Downs, Park Downs and Burgh Heath from 1 April, 2025.

In a joint statement, BCC said: "With the increasing volume of professional dog walkers, including displacement from other areas that have already implemented restrictions, it has become necessary to take the responsible step of licensing this activity."

The group says the scheme will help regulate the numbers of dogs being walked commercially on its sites and ensure that companies are operating safely and treating Banstead Commons, its users and wildlife with respect.

BCC says the licensing scheme is being implemented in accordance with the Metropolitan Commons (Banstead) Supplemental Act, which gives the conservators powers to regulate activities on Banstead Commons.

Dog walking companies that have not registered their operations once this is in place will be in breach of BCC's bye laws and may risk prosecution, the group added.

BCC says it will be able to take licences away "with immediate effect" with a written notice if the person breaches the agreement, or does not remedy it in 21 days.

Professional dog walkers must also walk with identification, issued by the BCC, on them at all times and they must allow staff to read a dog's chip to establish an owner's details, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

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