Commercial Dog Walker Permit Policy

Version Number:
Approved by:
Date Approved:

2.0
City Council
January 27, 2009 (Revised); July 4, 2007 (Original)

Policy Statement:

To help ensure accountability by limiting the number of dogs allowed under

the control of a Commercial Dog Walker to a maximum of six (6) at any one
time, while using City parks, greenspaces or waterfront areas ("City
Parks").

Application for
Commercial Dog Walker
Permit:

All Commercial Dog Walkers who walk from four (4) to a maximum of six
(6) dogs, at any one time in City parks, greenspaces or waterfront areas
must obtain a Commercial Dog Walker Permit.
To obtain a Commercial Dog Walker Permit, an individual Commercial Dog
Walker is required to:
1. Apply for the permit in person at any one of the three (3) Civic Centres
(Etobicoke, North York, Scarborough), and Toronto City Hall;
2. Provide:
a. personal identification;
b. completed Application for Commercial Dog Walker Permit
3. Provide evidence of a Commercial General Liability insurance coverage
in the amount of $2,000,000 for bodily injury, property damage and
personal injury liability, and including the City as an additional insured;
and
4. Ensure that all dogs under their care and control are licensed in
accordance with Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 349, Animals.
5. Pay the established fee of $200.00 per Commercial Dog Walker. *This
fee is subject to annual inflationary adjustments, which are effective
January 1 each year as determined by the Deputy City Manager and
Chief Financial Officer.
6. Photo of Commercial Dog Walker will be taken at the time of permit
purchase and recorded on the client's account.

Conditions for use of

City parks, greenspaces
and waterfront areas

While using City parks, greenspaces or waterfront areas the Commercial

Dog Walker, or dog walking business agrees to the following conditions:

Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division

Compliance with Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 608, Parks

(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/municode/1184_608.pdf)

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Commercial Dog Walker Permit Policy

Version Number:
Approved by:
Date Approved:

2.0
City Council
January 27, 2009 (Revised); July 4, 2007 (Original)

o to abide by existing designated off-leash areas, area

boundaries, hours of operation and other related regulations;

o to keep their dogs on leash at all times, unless they are in a

designated off-leash area;

o to keep their dogs under their care and control at all times;
o commercial dog walkers who frequent parks where a green

bin pilot project exists, shall use the green bins to dispose of
dog waste; and
o any other regulations as required by law.

Prohibitions for use of

City parks, greenspaces
and waterfront areas:

Compliance with Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 349, Animals

(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/municode/1184_349.pdf)
o dogs must be licensed within the City of Toronto; and
o any other regulations as required by law.

Permit Requirements - All Commercial Dog Walkers must:

o display a Commercial Dog Walker Permit in a visible manner
at all times when bringing from four (4) to a maximum of six
(6) dogs into a City Park, greenspace or waterfront area;
o present their permit upon request to a Provincial Offences
Officer or Parks, Forestry and Recreation Staff Member; and
o maintain valid Commercial General Liability Insurance
coverage for the duration of the permit term in accordance
with Item 3 in the Application Process, and provide proof of
such insurance coverage if required by the "General
Manager".

Commercial Dog Walkers are prohibited from bringing dogs into the
following areas:
Natural or environmentally sensitive areas including: designated
ravines, wooded or savannah areas, sites of natural and/or scientific
interest, areas which have undergone significant habitat restoration,
wetlands or their buffer zones
Playgrounds, splash pads and wading pools
Horticultural display areas or ornamental gardens
Skateboard bowls, tennis courts and other sports pads
Sports fields and stadiums
Artificial or natural ice rinks, toboggan hills
Animal display areas
Blue Flag designated beaches
Campgrounds

Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division

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Commercial Dog Walker Permit Policy

Version Number:
Approved by:
Date Approved:

2.0
City Council
January 27, 2009 (Revised); July 4, 2007 (Original)

Enforcement and Fines:

Parks designated as unsuitable for commercial dog walkers

Areas posted prohibiting dogs

Dog walkers with unlicensed dogs or an invalid licence or tag will be guilty
of an offence under Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 349 and will be
subject to appropriate fines.
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/municode/1184_349.pdf)
Dog walkers who fail to comply with any of the conditions stipulated within
Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 608-34 and any of conditions set out in
this Policy will be guilty of an offence and will be subject to appropriate
fines in accordance with Municipal Code, Chapter 608.
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/municode/1184_608.pdf)
Violations of the Commercial Dog Walker Permit Policy and noncompliance with Municipal Code Chapters 608, Parks and 349, Animals,
will be recorded and tracked by Parks, Forestry and Recreation for further
action if necessary, including permit suspension.

Permit Suspension

1. A Commercial Dog Walker Permit shall be suspended:

a. for a period of ninety (90) days if the permit holder is convicted
of an offence under Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 608,
Parks or Chapter 349, Animals, on any two separate occasions
within a one (1) year period; and
b. for a period of one year if convicted of an offence on any three
separate occasions within a one (1) year period.
2. The General Manager shall provide 30 days written notice to the permit
holder before suspending the permit holder's commercial dog walker
permit.
3. Written notice under Subsection B(2) shall be delivered to the permit
holder by means of registered mail and shall be deemed to be received
by the permit holder on the third business day, following the date of
mailing.
4. The expiry date of a commercial dog walker permit shall not be
extended if a permit holder's commercial dog walker permit is
suspended; and

Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division

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Commercial Dog Walker Permit Policy

Version Number:
Approved by:
Date Approved:

2.0
City Council
January 27, 2009 (Revised); July 4, 2007 (Original)

5. A permit holder cannot apply for a new commercial dog walker permit
during a period of suspension.
Appeals Process
Request for Hearing:

A permit holder who has been advised that their commercial dog walker
permit will be suspended may appeal the decision of the General Manager
of Parks, Forestry and Recreation (the "General Manager") and request to
be heard by the Commercial Dog Walker Permit Appeal Committee (the
"Committee"), by filing with the General Manager, within 30 days of the
General Manager's notice, a request for hearing and including the permit
holder's contact information, grounds for appeal and related submissions.
Composition:
The appeal committee shall consist of three (3) members, comprised of:
a) the Manager of Animal Services, Municipal Licensing and
Standards;
b) the Manager of Policy and Planning Services, Municipal Licensing
and Standards; and
c) the Project Manager of the Clean and Beautiful Secretariat,
Transportation Services
The Manager of Policy and Planning Services, Municipal Licensing and
Standards, shall be the Chair of the Committee.
Hearing Fee:
The permit holder shall pay a non-refundable fee of $200.00 to process the
request for hearing, which fee must accompany the request for hearing.
Additional Information:
Additional information relating to the suspension of Commercial Dog
Walker Permits and the appeal process can be found in Article VI of
Municipal Code Chapter 608, Parks.

Indemnity:

All Commercial Dog Walker Permit holders agree to indemnify and save
harmless the City of Toronto from any and all loss, liability, damage or
costs it may incur arising out of or related to the Commercial Dog Walker
Permit holders' activities or the activities of dogs under their care.

Forms:

Commercial Dog Walker Permit Application Form

Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division

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