Dog walkers, owners speak out over council push to jack up commercial dog walking fees

Commercial dog walkers have been left barking mad over a council plan to hike up the cost of walking pooches in public parks and ­reserves on the lower north shore.

Commercial dog walkers have been left barking mad over a council plan to hike up the cost of walking pooches in public parks and ­reserves on the lower north shore.

Owners of small dog walking businesses say they could be forced out of the Lane Cove Council area in response to a sharp increase in annual dog walking permit fees.

The council is one of only two local government bodies in Sydney to charge commercial dog walkers a fee for using parks and public areas.

The council’s draft budget documents have revealed that commercial dog walkers will be asked to fork out $2360 for an annual permit in the coming financial year – an $80 increase on the current charge.

The council had also proposed to increase public liability insurance cover from $10 million to a staggering $20 million as part of a draft dog policy developed by the council. However, the policy was not adopted by councillors at the last Lane Cove Council meeting in response to negative feedback and the council said it has no plans to progress the policy “at this stage”.

Alexander Smith and Phoebe Parkinson, co-owners of North Shore Pet Services

Alexander Smith, co-owner of North Shore Pet Services, said the rising permit fees will hit small businesses already feeling the pinch of rising inflation and costs of living.

“None of the other surrounding councils charge fees and we don’t understand what makes the dogs or dog walkers in Lane Cove any different,” he said.

“We try and keep our prices low because everyone’s feeling the cost of living sting at the moment, and if they keep progressing down the path we’ll have to move the company and stop walking here.

“The cost is exorbitant and any way you cut it doesn’t make sense.”

Commercial dog walking fees are charged by Lane Cove Council.

Jo Brennan – who also runs a dog walking business in Lane Cove said the rising fees could mean dog walkers will have to pass on costs to clients.

According to the council, the revenue raised from annual permit fees is allocated to maintaining sport grounds and filling in holes created by dogs.

A council spokeswoman said the fees were in line with the Local Government Act which requires “council approval for businesses to engage in a trade or business on community land”.

The fees will rise to more than $2300 in the coming financial year.

Helena Greenwell, who also runs a dog walking business in Lane Cove, questioned why fees were being increased for commercial dog walkers when dog owners can walk their pets in parks for free.

Barbara Helvadjian, a local dog owner, said she is among many working households who rely on dog walkers to provide exeirce for their pets during daytime periods.

Across Sydney, the only other council to charge commercial dog walking fees is Ryde which requires professional dog minders to pay an annual fee up to $1260.

Inner West Council last year proposed a $552 annual fee however backtracked on the move after staunch opposition from dog owners.