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San Francisco gov nannies want to tax and regulate dog walkers????
Some of this stuff is so silly you want to break out laughing until you realize people could be arrested and jailed for breaking these silly laws. Dog walker regulations considered by S.F. Rachel Gordon, Chronicle Staff Writer Tuesday, December 13, 2011 San Francisco officials hope to keep commercial dog walkers on a tighter leash with a new set of regulations governing how they can operate. The proposal, heard at a City Hall hearing Monday, is expected to be considered for approval by the Board of Supervisors early next year. "The purpose of this legislation is to set very basic standards for professional dog walkers who use city parks and other city property," said Supervisor Scott Wiener, chief sponsor of the proposal. Almost a third of households in the city have dogs, and about 500 people get paid to walk the canines, which is why Wiener said it is important to have rules in place to better protect Rover and park users. His plan has the backing of SF Dog, a politically forceful advocacy group made up largely of dog owners - or pet guardians, as they're officially known in San Francisco - and the San Francisco Professional Dogwalkers Association, which boasts more than five dozen members. "We are anxious to elevate and legitimize our profession," said Nancy Stafford, the association's co-director. The city's Recreation and Park Department also endorsed the idea. Permit, license proposed The proposed regulations would require commercial dog walkers, with two or more canines at any one time, to obtain a permit. To qualify, dog walkers would have take a training course that covers topics ranging from dog park etiquette (pick up the poop, keep them out of playgrounds), canine first aid and pack management. As an alternative, they can complete an apprenticeship program with an experienced dog walker. Permit holders also would have to carry a leash for each canine under their charge, have a first aid kit, demonstrate that their vehicles can safely transport their tail-wagging clients, and have a business license. A permit would cost no more than $250; the annual renewal cost would be capped at $100. Number of dogs at issue The biggest sticking point in the proposed regulations has involved the number of dogs that the walker could take out at any one time. Wiener initially proposed a limit of seven, but after consultations with the San Francisco Small Business Commission, dog walkers and his colleagues on the Board of Supervisors' Land Use and Economic Development Committee, the number was expanded to eight paying pooches. Dog walkers also would be allowed to bring along one of their own dogs. Crystal Mason, who has been walking other people's dogs for almost five years in the Mission/Noe Valley area, said the amended number is doable. Although she usually walks five to seven dogs at a time, she said an allowance for eight would be better. "It would give us more flexibility," said Mason, who noted that there are days when she takes out additional dogs when their regular walkers are on vacation or when clients request she walk their dogs an extra day beyond their normal schedule. Mason said the extra cash also helps to cover expenses, which include gas and liability insurance. Dog walkers typically charge anywhere from $12 to $25 a day. Some take out a dozen or more at a time. Rebecca Katz, director of the city's Animal Care and Control Department, the agency that would be responsible for overseeing the permits, said she was concerned that eight or nine dogs would be pushing the limit when it comes to a dog walker's ability to properly manage the dogs and clean up after them, but said she would defer to the supervisors to make the final call. Clashes over park use The push for regulation at the city level comes as federal authorities are looking to toughen rules governing dogs in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, including the popular dog-walking spots of Fort Funston and Crissy Field. If the crackdown goes through, the demand for dog walking in city parks is expected to increase and could escalate long-running clashes over park use. E-mail Rachel Gordon at rgordon@sfchronicle.com |