Professional Dog Walker Licence - FAQs
The council has introduced a dog control Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).
From 1 April 2026, each application will cost £240. Please download and fill in the application form, then email it to healthand.safety@towerhamlets.gov.uk. You can pay by card over the phone by calling 020 7364 6705.
Guidance for Professional Dog Walkers
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As part of the PSPO, the council has limited the number of dogs that one person can walk at any time to four. A professional dog walkers licence allows professional dog walkers to walk up to six dogs at any one time.
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- Evidence suggests that this is the maximum number of dogs that the average adult could be expected to control at any one time. This PSPO order has been introduced for public safety.
- To obtain a professional dog walkers licence you / your business must meet a number of conditions. These include providing evidence of adequate insurance, skills and experience to safely walk up to six dogs at any one time.
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- Professional dog walkers may apply for a professional dog walking licence. However, the maximum number of dogs you can walk at any one time with a professional dog walkers licence is six. One person will not be able to walk more than six dogs at any one time even with a professional dog walkers licence.
- If you are not a professional dog walker, you may consider applying to become a professional dog walker, or you will need to make alternative dog walking arrangements. For example, ensuring there is more than one responsible adult per four dogs or walking dogs on a rota.
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A licence will enable a professional dog walker to walk up to SIX dogs at any one time. The council undertook a benchmarking exercise and found that local authorities who had brought in a maximum number of dogs PSPO order, the maximum number of dogs that they permitted being walked by an individual at any one time was six. The council wants to set a balance between supporting business and public safety.
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No. The professional dog walker licence allows for the walking of five or six dogs at any one time. If you will not walk more than four dogs at any one time, you will not need to obtain a professional dog walker license.
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From 1 April 2026. This is because new fees and charges are introduced at the start of a new financial year.
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Enforcement officers are there to ensure that everyone can safely enjoy our green spaces and that dogs are walked responsibly, this includes professional dog walkers. If dogs remain in designated areas (not in gated children’s play areas or gated sports areas), enforcement officers will not take any action. However, if an officer sees a dog walker with five or six dogs.
They will ask for evidence that either an application has been submitted (you can show your acknowledgment letter as proof) or that you are licenced. A photocard with an expiry date will be issued to you when you are granted your licence.
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Download the application form, send supporting documentation and pay the £240 fee as explained on the form.
If you need further guidance contact the team on healthand.safety@towerhamlets.gov.uk.
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A breach of a PSPO without a reasonable excuse is an offence. You will be issued with a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) if you do not comply with the PSPO when asked by an Enforcement Officer. If not paid, you may be prosecuted, for which the maximum penalty is a fine of £1,000.
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You will not be fined if you can show proof of submission of an application.
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A dog walker licence is valid for 1 year from the date of issue. You must apply to renew your Licence before it expires.
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The annual fee has been set at this amount due to the operational needs to run the licensing scheme. It ensures compliance with safety and welfare standards. It covers the costs and time spent to issue the licence and is benchmarked against other local authorities to ensure it is reasonable.
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It is not possible to pay by instalments. A licence is only issued after we are paid in full with a completed application form and the required supporting evidence.