By JENNIFER MALONEY Staff Reporter
Mar 09 2006
The owner of A Walk in the Park says the District of West Vancouver's proposal to restrict commercial dog walkers from handling more than five dogs at one time is being propelled by a few renegades who are being confused with professionals in her trade.
"There are a number of companies that go under the radar and aren't properly licensed," contends owner Julie Davidson. "If they restrict us even more that's not going to stop the renegades."
West Vancouver's current bylaw allows commercial dog walkers to handle eight dogs if they have a licensed permit. The District of North Vancouver has no regulations to specify the number of dogs a commercial dog walker can handle. Last April, North Vancouver District considered restricting the number to four dogs, two on-leash, but community resistance caused council to send the bylaw back to staff.
Shortly after, Davidson and other local dog walkers formed the North Shore Dog Handlers Alliance. The group was meant to network with the Districts of North and West Vancouver to streamline regulations across the North Shore.
"We thought we were making progress with a graduated licensing program, then all the sudden the District of West Vancouver told us they were going to council with recommendations that dog walkers be limited to five dogs and only two off-leash," Davidson said. "The problem is most dog walkers take eight dogs and are comfortable with eight dogs."
If North Shore dog walkers are forced to cut back numbers, Davidson said many will also be forced to increase prices, which will make it difficult for working people to continue with the service. Dogs left at home can disturb neighbours and become aggressive, she explains.
But West Vancouver staff says the District is responding to the reactions and concerns of residents who use the same trails as commercial dog walkers.
"We're not trying to eliminate commercial dog walking in West Vancouver," said Liz Holitzki, West Vancouver's manager of bylaw and licensing services. "We're simply responding to concerns and we're bringing forth recommendations we feel are sound."
Holitzki said the District is not aware of any statistical information to back claims that the restrictions would contribute to aggressive behavior in dogs or noise disturbance, noting dog walkers are free to take multiple trips.
West Van's staff recommendations will be presented to District council for approval before the end of the month.

Julie Davidson of A Walk in the Park with some of her happy pooches....