Richmond council are proposing to introduce a dog control order. This is already at consultation stage and we have only until 12th April to oppose this.  Please don't stop reading this just because you don't live in the borough of Richmond, as if passed here, it will undoubtably be passed by other councils too.   The order states that only four dogs can be walked together at any one time.
This will have a huge impact, not only on people with multiple dogs, but also on dog owners with low or average incomes, and of course on the dog industry as a whole.  By being forced to pay more for dog walkers, every facet of the dog industry will affected negatively.

 Low income, working families would be priced out of dog ownership altogether.  Many families are already looking at having to rehome their beloved dogs if this order is passed.  Dogs provide proven health and happiness benefits, companionship and much more to people.  It isn't fair to do this to poor familes and people on low or average incomes.  

As dog walkers, we would have no choice but to increase prices substantially and could potentially even be forced to close down. More unemployment in the middle of a recession! Even if we could manage to still maintain a reasonable standard of living, walks would be forced to be shorter and your dogs that could afford these walks, would suffer as a direct consequence of this. We need your help and support. This is people's lives, their careers, dog walkers provide a valuble service to our communities.  There are some irresponsible dog walkers out there who do need policing, but the majority of dog walkers take their responsibilities very very seriously, we don't walk more than six dogs per person, we work hard to ensure that they have a great time, are well exercised, do not cause a nuisance to other park users and we clean up after them. Not only do we not want to give up the job we love, but we also want to provide this service at an affordable rate, and for the dogs in our care to enjoy an off lead long run. This is the link to the proposed order:  Http://Richmond.gov.uk/home/council_government_and_democracy/council/council_consultations/consultation_details.htm?id=C00973  There isn't much time as signs only went up on Tuesday, but consultation for this and hence our time to oppose it,ends on 12th April.   Please could you email and write to the address below, strongly opposing this order, and explaining that average and low income families, the dog industy as a whole, reputable professional dog walking services and responsible owners with multiple dogs will be directly negatively impacted if this order is passed. [email protected] David Allister Head of Parks, Civic Centre, 44 York Street, Twickenham, TW13BZ  ....  Please help us reach 1000 signatures so that we can force council meeting! Thank you so much for your support.  Please do contact Annabel at www.BarnesDogWalking.com with any ideas or queries.