A dozen happy dogs no more: Stonnington’s new dog walking restriction to impact business dog walker says

Professional dog walker Ken Phillips vows to fight Stonnington’s new four-dogs-only walking restrictions which he says are affecting his business.

Dog walker Ken Phillips dislikes Stonnington council's new law which prevents anyone from walking more than four dogs at a time. Picture: Josie Hayden

Professional dog walker Ken Phillips has vowed to fight Stonnington Council if he gets fined for walking 10 dogs on the street.

Mr Phillips, who runs Dog Concierge, said he was reprimanded by a council officer last week as he walked on Huntingtower Rd, Armadale, and feared a fine was imminent.

He argued the new four-dogs-at-a-time bylaw was only for parks and reserves.

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“To stop me while I am operating lawfully and to insist on issuing me a formal warning even when the dogs I was walking were under control is completely unacceptable,” he said.

“I will be seeking an apology for the council’s actions against me.”

Ken Phillips 10 dogs he was walking when approached by a council officer. Pic: Supplied.

Mr Phillips said he and other commercial dog walkers would be hurt financially by the new law.

“Council in their rush and ignorance didn’t think about the impact it’s going to have on our business,” he said.

“At the very least it means a significant price rise because the logistics of transporting dogs elsewhere takes time and money.

“I pay my staff properly and cannot economically operate with just four dogs to walk.”

He said walking a doberman was different to a small dog, so an inflexible rule was nonsense.

Mr Phillips said all his dog walkers had to complete training to ensure safety for the dogs and other park goers.

Dog walker Ken Phillips dislikes Stonnington council's new law which prevents anyone from walking more than four dogs at a time. Picture: Josie Hayden

Jonathan Whitelaw, from Woofers World, is also worried his business will suffer.

“Our professional opinion is the new rule is likely to increase our prices to cover the reduced revenue,” he said.

“Ourselves and other reputable professional dog walking operators will then be priced out of the market, leaving way for the substandard operators who don’t have the same costs or are less accountable,” he said.

Stonnington chief executive Warren Roberts said some businesses may need to change their business model to comply with the new rules.

“The changes were introduced in response to numerous complaints from residents about large groups of dogs being walked by commercial walkers that are not being effectively controlled, are being aggressive, as well as wandering out of parks into nearby streets,” he said.

Mr Roberts said the council had not issued any official warnings or infringements since the introduction of the new rules but said council officers were making dog walkers aware of the new order.