1. Dogs In Parks Sub-Committee involving Professional Dog Walkers

1. Why is there now a need for the City of Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division (hereafter known as the Parks Division) to create a dogs in parks committee which involves professional dog walkers?

2. What purpose will this sub-committee serve for the Parks Division?

1. Solely information gathering for the Parks Division?

2. This sub-committee has the power to recommend policy?

3. This sub-committee has the power to make policy?

4. What is the sub-committee's mandate?

5. Is this an ad-hoc committee which will be terminated once the proposed Dogs In Parks Strategy is in place?

6. Other?

3. 1. In future what procedures will the Parks Division have in place to deal with any issues involving professional dog walkers?

   2. In future will the Parks Division first consult with the sub-committee if issues arise involving professional dog walkers?

   3. If so, will the sub-committee be responsible for recommending policy or making policy if issues arise involving professional dog walkers?

   4. In future would the Parks Division recommend that professional dog walkers also establish similar procedures/sub-committees with other organizations (i.e. Animal Control) if there are issues involving professional dog walkers and, for example, Animal Control? Or would the Parks Division's proposed "Dogs In Parks Strategy" include these other organizations and these organizations would abide by the procedures established by the proposed "Dogs In Parks Strategy"?

2. Previous Dealings with the Parks Division and Professional Dog Walkers

1. In the past has the Parks Division had concerns/issues with professional dog walkers?

2. If so, what have these concerns/issues entailed?

3. Does the Parks Division have on record any incidents involving professional dog walkers?

4. If so, may the Professional Dog Walkers Association International and the sub-committee have the opportunity to review these incidents to have a better understanding of what they entailed?

3. Registration Issues

1. What would be the desired outcome that the Parks Division hopes to achieve by creating a registration system for professional dog walkers?

2. 1. Who would the Parks Division like registered?
      
   • All dog walkers making an income from walking dogs?
     
   • Only professional dog walkers walking more than 3 dogs at a time?

   2. If the Parks Division only wants professional dog walkers walking more than 3 dogs at a time to register, why does the Parks Division feel that professional dog walkers with three or less dogs do not need to register?

   3. Would the Parks Division place any requirements on a professional dog walker who walks a maximum of 3 dogs? (i.e. still needs insurance, be a minimum age, etc.)?

3. What criteria would the Parks Division prefer all professional dog walkers meet in order to be eligible to register? (i.e. abide by the maximum number of dogs per walker, follow park rules - i.e. stoop and scoop (please attach these existing park by-laws so that all dog walkers clearly understand what they are), have liability insurance (and if so how much liability insurance coverage), age minimum for dog walkers, etc. Please list all of the Parks Division's desired criteria.

4. 1. If a professional dog walker does not meet all of the proposed registration criteria, how would this be handled by the Parks Division?

   2. Would the sub-committee of the Dogs in Parks Strategy involving professional dog walkers be consulted prior to determining the process and penalties for any violations?

5. 1. Would professional dog walkers, who do not walk their dogs in city parks, still need to register and abide by the criteria of those who use city parks?

   2. If not, would the Parks Division please attach a list of city parks that would operate under the proposed registration system so that this is made available to professional dog walkers.

6. How did the Parks Division arrive at a proposed registration fee amount of $100?

7. What, specifically, will the monies raised from the proposed registration fee be used for?

8. If the money from the proposed registration fee will be earmarked by the Parks Division for park improvements, what types of improvements will be made with this money?

9. Does the Parks Division foresee an annual increase in the amount of the proposed registration fee? If so, by what % annually?

10. If professional dog walkers meet the proposed criteria which satisfies the Parks Division, is the Parks Division open to other options rather than creating a registration system? (i.e. providing proof of having current liability insurance, if ever asked).

11. How will professional dog walkers benefit from the proposed registration system?

12. Is the Parks Division suggesting professional dog walkers pay a registration fee since they walk dogs in city parks? If so, what registration fees would other businesses, such as nannies, pay to use the parks?

13. 1. Would the proposed registration fee be charged to the professional dog walking company or to each individual professional dog walker?

    2. If the Parks Division proposes to charge each individual professional dog walker what happens if a professional dog walker is obligated to temporarily hire a contractor to replace him/her while the professional dog walker, is off sick, has to go for a medical appointment, takes a holiday, etc., will the contractor (or the professional dog walker) still have to pay the proposed registration fee for the contractor who is temporarily filling in for the professional dog walker?

4. Parks & Dogs

1. Is the Parks Division considering to make some city parks off limits to dogs and/or professional dog walkers?

2. If so, what criteria and process will the Parks Division use to determine which parks may become off limits to dogs and/or professional dog walkers?

3. If the Parks Division is considering making some parks off-limits, how will the Parks Division make professional dog walkers, dog owners, other appropriate organizations and the general public aware of these proposed closures and allow these groups the ability meet with the Parks Division to have their questions answered and, when necessary, contest any proposed park closures to dogs and/or professional dog walkers?

1. How will a permit or license system for dog walkers benefit the City?

2. How will it benefit all park users?

3. What are the problems that the City is encountering to which licensing/permitting would be the answer?

4. We would like to hear your concerns so that we can come up with solutions for you.

5. Is the city concerned only with people walking dogs through a park and getting paid for it? Are you also concerned about people walking on the sidewalk with dogs and still getting paid?

6. Would you please further explain these differences and your concerns/non concerns?

7. Is this an issue of safety?

Here are the definitions:

License:
    1.   Official or legal permission to do or own a specified thing
    2.   A document, plate, or tag that is issued a proof of official or legal permission

Permit:
    1.   To allow the doing of (something); consent to: permit the sale of alcoholic beverages
    2.   Permission, especially in written form.
    3.   A document or certificate giving permission to do something; a license or warrant: a building permit

I need to confirm that there are two separate issues that we are discussing and finding a solution for.

Would you please confirm this below:

1. Changing the 3 dog bylaw to 6 dogs maximum to reflect the industry standard
2. The implementation of a regulatory system

A "Nanny" takes 5 children to the park twice a day while each child's parent pays the "nanny" for the service; A "dog walker" takes 5 dogs to a park and receives payment from each dog owner.

Sandy, I need this info to be clear since I have to report this back to the members. I’m afraid that what you told me will not sit well with the members and I cannot simply report back that "it's a no-no".

Would you clarify if it is true that:

• Only a certain number of permits will be issued? If so why?
• Will permits determine where we can or cannot walk?
• Does the permit prevent the City from any liability?
• Will the permit fee increase?
  

Are we going to get to see the proposal that you give to City Council?

How many more meetings are we having before you give the proposal to City Council?

Whose responsibility will it be to renew the registration or permit? Will the City contact the dog walker and remind them to renew? What will the penalty be if the dog walker forgets to renew?