Calls for dog walking rules to be relaxed

Professional dog walker Natasha Johnston was mauled to death in a park in 2023

Petitioners have called for rules which restrict the number of dogs you can walk in Reigate and Banstead to be relaxed.

Safety concerns were raised after professional dog walker Natasha Johnston was mauled to death in a park in 2023.

She had been walking eight dogs in Gravelly when she was attacked and calls were made for tighter restrictions and regulations to be introduced.

The limit of four, recommended by the RSPCA, was introduced by Reigate and Banstead Borough Council following a public consultation.

'Heavy handed approach'

However, campaigners, led by professional dog walkers have said this blanket reduction has cut their trade overnight by a third, as reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The petition, created by Jennifer Clarkson and signed by more than 500 people, called on the council to reconsider its decision and reintroduce the six dog limit “which had worked perfectly well for years”.

It read: “This cross borough reduction is a heavy handed approach and does not consider the different outside spaces, their size and facilities, or lack of.

“The decision has been made based upon a public consultation which received responses from 561 people, in a borough which has around 150,000 residents.

“The business insurance companies cover the majority of individuals to walk six dogs.”

She told a council meeting there had been 78 dog-related incidents reported to the council in the last 12 months - only two involved somebody walking four or more dogs.

Measures were introduced after Natasha Johnston's death in 2023

Councillor Jonathan Essex said the measures were introduced following the tragic fatality.

“But”, he added “I’ve listened to what the petitioner has said and I think it’s also important that we make sure as a council that we are clear that were listening to all stakeholders.”

The committee agreed the petition should be put to cabinet at a date to be set new year for consideration.