Professional dog walking code of conduct
You must agree to the code of conduct in order to apply for a professional dog walking licence.
Purpose
The purpose of the code of conduct is:
- Ensure considerate use between those undertaking licensed professional multiple dog walking activities in the park and other park users.
- To protect the parks and their wildlife.
- To ensure access to and use of public open space is preserved for all visitors.
- To work alongside a licence agreement to ensure that operators are complying with current health and safety regulation and best industry practice for the safety and enjoyment of all.
The code
The Licensee shall not have exclusive rights over any area of the Licenced Park and due consideration is to be given to members of the general public visiting the Licenced Park.
Licensee's shall leave the Licenced Park in a clean and tidy condition and be liable for any loss of or damage to any Licenced Park through their direct improper use.
The Licensee shall abide by the terms and conditions of the licence and relevant legislation in the Licenced Park.
At all times when Dog Walking in a Licensed Park the Licensee must wear his/her Professional Dog Walker Licence, attached to the provided lanyard so that the Licence is clearly visible to the public, Park Management representatives and others authorised by the council to monitor adherence to relevant legislation and general behaviour.
Every dog while on public land must wear a collar with the name, phone number and address of the owner and/or dog walker inscribed on it or a plate or badge attached to it.
The Licensee shall have a lead for each of the dogs in his Group/in his charge.
The Licensee shall not walk with other Professional Dog Walkers in the Licenced Park. If walking with a dog owner or a prospective client in the Licenced Park the total number of dogs, which must all be kept on their leads, must not exceed 8.
Ensure Pre-screening of dogs being walked to ensure that you have control of them at all times.
Remove all dog waste that arises from the dogs you are walking by placing it in a tightly sealed bag and taking it home or depositing it in the bins marked for dog waste or in the general waste bins.
Be considerate about where you allow your dogs to urinate, when entering Parks, especially where the entrance is adjacent to residential areas.
Do not display aggressive, intimidating or unruly behaviours that interfere with the comfort of other visitors and ensure that your dogs do not behave in aggressive, intimidating or unruly ways interfering with the comfort of other visitors.
Do not apply corporal punishment towards any dogs.
Ensure the dogs you are walking do not threaten or interfere with wildlife or the enjoyment of other park users. Do not permit your dog to disturb, chase, injure or kill any form of wildlife.
As a Licensee you agree to abide by these guidelines in the Licenced Park at all times. Non compliance to the Code of Conduct may result in restrictions being placed on the Licensee, or the Licence or the withdrawal of the Licence.