‘Nannying’ dog walkers on the job

Pet owners have hit out at Waverley Council’s decision to introduce a licensing fee for professional dog walkers in off-leash parks, arguing
Council is employing a ‘nanny state’ approach. While the cost for dog walkers has yet to be determined, it will ensure those walking four dogs or more are hit with a fee.

Robert Zarauz, a professional Eastern Suburbs dog walker for two and a half years, said the scheme was simply a Council revenue raising exercise. “If we’re going to pay a licence fee, are they going to open up more parks and areas for us?

“There are a lot of parks that say ‘prohibit everything except standing still and imitating a tree’,” he said. “There are a lot of parks that are not utilised in any way, shape or form.”

Mr Zarauz pointed to peak hour walking times as the source of the problem. He said: “I think it’s really silly that people can walk dogs at 4.30pm in the afternoon off lead when during the day there’s nobody
down there using it. At 4.30pm, it’s full of children running around. Not a good mixture: dogs and children.”

Former City of Sydney Councillor Dixie Coulton has been a dog owner for 12 years in the Eastern Suburbs, and owns two maltese silkies.
“I think it is ‘nanny state’ stuff,” Ms Coulton said. “Any of the dog walkers that I’ve seen … their dogs are better behaved and better handled than 99 per cent of dog owners.

“They never cause a problem; they are very courteous, very organised and they’re professional people.”

Having already implemented fees and regulations for personal trainers at public venues, Council voted unanimously in favour of the fee.

Councillor Ingrid Strewe said the fee was strictly for off-leash parks.
“It is implemented for the people who live around leash free areas,” she said. “Once people hear there is an off leash area, it is used extensively, especially near the coast.

“We’re not keen on people using parks for their business.”

But Ms Coulton argued the scheme is a disincentive to ensure dogs exercise regularly. “In the end, it’s just a straight out tax,” she said. “They’re [dog walkers] actually walking someone’s dog. Those dogs
would be there with the owner if they could.

“A lot of these dog walking businesses are small business people. Why tax them even more?”