A bulldog was mauled to death after it was left in the back of a van belonging to a pet walking company.
Brighton and Hove City Council animal welfare officers are now calling for proper guidelines for firms offering the service to prevent another tragedy.
Harry, a two-year-old French bulldog, died after an incident between three dogs that had been left unrestrained while the van was parked.
His devastated owner had employed the Brighton firm to walk her dog while she was at work.
Animal welfare officers attempted to prosecute the owner of the company but the case was dropped due to a lack of national regulations surrounding the transportation of animals by dog walking firms.
Stephanie Williams, a council animal welfare officer, said: “We feel very strongly that there should be national legislation around the transportation of animals by dog walking firms.
“At present, dog walkers can carry any number of dogs unrestrained in the back of their vehicles.”
Following the case, the council has re-launched its voluntary Professional Dog Walking Scheme, which invites owners of dog walking companies to register with the council and sign up to a code of conduct.
The council was the first local authority in the country to introduce such a scheme in 2009, and currently more than 50 businesses have signed up.
‘Ensuring pet safety’
To join the scheme, companies must ensure that dogs are secured whilst being transported, whether that is by way of individual cages or other means of restraint.
Companies passing an inspection are awarded a Professional Dog Walkers Scheme accreditation and listed on the council’s website.
Pete West, Environment councillor, said: “Dog walking is big business in Brighton and Hove and the number of businesses setting up in the city has grown rapidly as owners return to work or work longer hours.
“We want to help ensure that residents’ pets are in safe hands, and our professional dog walkers scheme will help to promote reputable companies in the city.
“We’ve already had a good response from businesses keen to get the council’s seal of approval and we look forward to welcoming many more.”
Dog walking companies can find out more about the scheme by contacting the animal welfare team on the following numbers: 01273 292483, 293299, 292445 or 293279.
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