Paid Dog Walkers Now Need To Have Licence
Council says it is introducing measure to increase safety and reduce fouling
New licence applies to anyone walking dogs professionally in H&F
Professional dog walkers will have to apply for a licence in Hammersmith & Fulham’s parks.
The new requirement comes into effect from 1 October and will mean that any paid dog walkers working in borough parks and open spaces will have to pay an annual fee. Similar schemes are already in place in neighbouring boroughs.
The new licence means all professional dog walkers working in the borough will be registered and the council says this will improve safety for all park visitors and reducing instances of dog fouling.
“We want anyone who visits our parks and green spaces to feel safe and secure,” said Cllr Wesley Harcourt, H&F Cabinet Member for Environment.
“Residents had raised concerns with us about increasing instances of dog fouling and said they’d also noticed greater numbers of professional dog walkers, who are likely to be visiting from neighbouring boroughs to avoid paying for a similar licence.
“Essentially, this licence makes dog walkers accountable – with more and more dog walkers in the park there’s higher risk of conflict between dogs, or dogs and park users. So, this is a key step in keeping our parks safer and cleaner.”
The licence will have two different costs depending on whether the dog walking business is based in or outside the borough and the council say it is similar to what is charged in neighbouring boroughs and the Royal Parks.
The licence applies to dog walkers, for up to four dogs per walks. The cost for a professional dog walker, registered as a business in Hammersmith & Fulham is £175 +VAT. Non-borough businesses will pay £300 +VAT.
Money from the licensing scheme will be put towards park maintenance and improvements.
The licence and permit will run from 6 April to 5 April inclusive. Fees are calculated from the licensee’s required starting date, on a monthly pro-rata basis. A replacement licence costs £50.
The licence will be required to operate in the following parks and green spaces:
Bayonne Road open space
Bentworth Road open space
Berestede open space
Bishops Park
Brook Green
Cathnor Park
Dalling Road open space
Edith Road open space
Eelbrook Common
Furnivall Gardens
Godolphin Road open space
Great West Road
Gwendwr Gardens
Gwendwr Gardens open space
Hammersmith Park
Hurlingham Park
Lillie Road rec
Little Brook Green
Marcus Garvey Park
Norland North open space
Normand Park
North Pole open space
North Verbena Gardens
Oil Mill Lane
Purcell Crescent open space
Ravenscourt Park
Richmond Way open space
South Park
Starch Green open space
St Paul’s Gardens
St Paul's open space
St Peter's Square
Upper Mall
Wendell Park
Westcroft Square open space
William Parnell
Wormwood Scrubs
Wormholt Park.
To apply for licence, email: parks@lbhf.gov.uk
September 25, 2020