PE1842, lodged by Valerie Deerin-Morris, calls on the Scottish Government to regulate and license the professional dog walking industry.
A response has been received from the Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment. The minister states that new regulations that have been laid and approved by the Parliament will provide a framework for a risk-based licensing system that could be extended to activities such as dog walking. However, he explains that there is not yet a timetable for when additional licensing provisions might be put forward to the Parliament.
I found that response encouraging, as it shows that the issue is on the minister’s radar, so we can be hopeful that a future minister will continue to consider the fact that there are issues around the welfare of dogs.
In the past, there would not have been a great issue, but there has been a growth in the number of businesses that offer dog walking services. I would have confidence in closing the petition on the basis that the Government can work on the issue and that there is a vehicle through which it can do so.
I declare an interest, in that I have a dog and occasionally use dog walking services.
Legislation and licensing are possible, and the issue just needs detailed attention in future. I think that we have gone as far as we can with the petition, so we should close it, recognising that licensing situation can be considered in future.
It is positive that there is a mechanism for licensing to be introduced in future, and I hope that that is done. Quite a lot of people got a dog during lockdown; they will be going back to work at some point and will possibly engage the services of a dog walker. Therefore, convener, you are right when you say that the issue will probably grow and grow.
I thank the petitioner. The issue is pertinent, but I am content that we can close the petition. I am also content that the petitioner can bring back the petition if she does not see the action that she seeks. However, I hope that whoever makes up the Scottish Government in the next parliamentary session will introduce licensing. I am content for us to close the petition.
I agree with my colleagues. Gail Ross has hit the nail on the head, in that there has been a significant increase in the ownership of dogs during the Covid lockdown, and we have to think about what will happen when people go back to work. She made a good point on that.
I am content for us to close the petition, on the basis that legislation is coming forward. We need to ensure that we keep an eye on the issue. We might slip the matter into our legacy report, just as a note to ensure that our successor committee keeps an eye on the issue and is aware that it might come back in a new petition. As Gail Ross did, I encourage the petitioner to do that. I am content for us to close the petition.
As has been said, there are important issues here. If there is growth in the sector, the service might be delivered by some businesses in a way that does not serve the best interests of dogs. That raises animal welfare issues, and people are interested in those issues. The committee, the Parliament and, to be fair, the minister have shown a commitment in that area of work.
We are agreeing to close the petition. As Gail Ross said, the petitioner might wish to return to the issue to try to push for the Government to use the vehicle that has been identified to create a regulatory framework and licensing.
At this stage, we agree to close the petition. I thank the petitioner for bringing this interesting and timely petition to the committee’s attention. We certainly hope that the need to address the issue that she has highlighted will continue to be recognised. I thank her for the petition, and I emphasise her entitlement to bring it back in the new parliamentary session, if she wishes to do so.
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