Question reference: S5O-02906
- Asked by: Margaret Mitchell, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 13 February 2019
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Current status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 21 February 2019
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on any issues arising from increases in the number of professional dog walkers.
Answer
Professional dog walkers have a valuable role to play in helping people who own dogs but cannot always be available to take them for walks.
As with dog owners themselves however, professional dog walkers should operate in a responsible fashion to ensure the safety and welfare of dogs under their control as well as the safety of others. That is why dog walkers are subject to laws relating to the control of dogs such as the Control of Dogs Act and the Dangerous Dogs Act.
However, it is the case that there is currently no specific regulation of dog walkers in place.