Dog walkers call for stricter controls after woman killed in Caterham attack

Dog walkers and kennel owners have called for stricter controls on the number of animals each person is allowed to exercise to protect both them and the public.

It comes after a woman was set upon and killed by the dogs she was walking during a frenzied attack at a Surrey beauty spot on Thursday.

The 28-year-old was with eight dogs when a number of them turned on her as she walked them on the North Downs Way, near Caterham.

The attack has prompted concern about confusing and contradictory regulations covering the sector, with councils setting different limits on the number of dogs that can be walked by one person.

Croydon Council has a limit of four per individual dog walker, while neighbouring Tandridge District Council - which covers the area where the incident took place - has set a maximum of six animals for each handler.

'There is no one to police what is going on'

Richard Breach, who runs The Mardens kennels close to where the woman was killed, said the lack of clear regulation for dog walkers was becoming a "major issue" among those caring for pets.

"The problem is anyone can start up a dog walking business. All someone has to do is pick up a few of their friends’ dogs, take them out for a walk and they can then call themselves a dog walker," he said. 

"There is no one to police what is going on. It all depends on the councils involved with licensing and can be determined by how many dogs the individual is walking."

A member of staff at neighbouring Canine Cottage, in Kenley, also called for a tightening of the rules.

"I don’t think it’s right that one person can walk so many dogs without any form of regulation, though I understand different councils have different requirements," said the employee, who asked not to be named.

Tandridge requires local commercial operators to pay for an annual licence to walk dogs on council land - currently costing £156.50.

Under current regulations posted on the council’s website, businesses licensed under the Animal Welfare Act for dog boarding and dog day care do not require a dog walking licence.

Catherine Sayer, the leader of Tandridge council, said it would be "impossible" to prevent businesses from outside the area using public facilities.

Describing the incident as "awful", Ms Sayer added: "I don’t know how you stop dog walkers from outside the area using local facilities. I’m not sure how councils can police it. That is now a national issue and something that needs to be looked at in much more detail."

Staff at Kettering Dog Walkers & Pet Services said it had become "far too easy for anyone" to enter the sector.

"This is exactly why we should be regulated. It’s far too easy for anyone to pick up a dog lead and walk a stranger's dog. No qualifications needed," they posted on Facebook.

The dead woman, who is thought to be from Croydon, south London, has yet to be formally identified, though her next of kin have been informed.

She is understood to have screamed at two horsewomen who stumbled on the scene to stay back, before succumbing to the attack.

Friends of the woman have described it as a "dreadful tragedy". One said: "It’s really, really upsetting for everyone."

Another woman who was passing as the attack took place at View Point, on Gravelly Hill, suffered dog bites in the confusion. She was later discharged from hospital.

Surrey Police said eight dogs were seized at the scene by officers and their owners have been identified and kept informed of the investigation.

The Telegraph understands that two dachshunds and a leonberger, a large breed often used as guard dogs, were among the animals.