Limits set for park dog walkers

Wandsworth Common is popular with dog walkers

A new by-law has been created in a London borough which will mean dog walkers are limited to eight pets at any one time.

Professionals taking packs of up to 40 dogs have become a problem in Wandsworth, south London.

From July, anyone exercising four to eight animals will need to apply for a special licence.

There will also be rules about walkers congregating together and creating a "super pack" of dogs.

Martin Stratton from Wandsworth Council said: "The people who we are really after are not the professional dog walkers.

"It is the irresponsible dog walkers who have up to 10 dogs, let them off the lead, congregate with other dog walkers, take their eye of the dogs and let them run amok.

"They will end up in the magistrates' courts."

The new licence will make sure that walkers have the necessary insurance and that the relevant authorities, such as the Inland Revenue, know of their occupation.