Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they are giving (1) to licensing professional dog walkers, and (2) to limiting them to a number of dogs that can be walked at any one time.

Anyone walking dogs is required to comply with the Animal Welfare Act 2006 which requires individuals in control of animals to protect them from unnecessary suffering, and to provide for their welfare needs. Commercial dog walkers should also comply with any other relevant legislation, local authority and insurance policy requirements.

The government currently has no plans to introduce new mandatory licensing for professional dogs walkers or to introduce a new mandatory limit on the number of dogs that a person can walk at any one time. The Canine and Feline Sector Group has published guidance to assist dog walkers. This can be found here: General Guidance Documents – CFSG.