BUSINESSES affected by the introduction of one of the highest dog boarding licence fees in Scotland have accused West Dunbartonshire Council of doing so to “fill a deficit”. 

Katherine Murray and Ian Fisher, of Lomond Home and Pet Care, asked councillors at last week’s Licensing Committee meeting if it was “mismanagement” and attempts to fill a deficit in a particular licensing category that prompted their proposal to introduce a £349 licence for the industry. 

The proposal means all home and day animal boarding businesses will be required to follow new rules in areas such as the construction of boarding areas, food and water supply, cleanliness and disease control and vaccinations.

Ms Murray said: “It appears that we’re included in a section that refers to ‘other licences’ and in that you’re looking at petroleum, explosives and caravan sites. 

“This begs the question, are we going to be subsidising other licences because they are basically trying to make up for a deficit?”

“Is there mismanagement in relation to the licence? If we as the public, as a very, very small business are being asked to pay we’re entitled to a breakdown.” 

The claims were quickly quashed by Councillor Lawrence O’Neill, committee chairman, who said licences were strictly “not for profit” and required to reimburse the cost of granting a licence. 

But industry workers remain concerned about the fee, which some fear could put them out of business if they were forced to up prices to cover the cost. 

Business owner Den Cook said: “I’d like everybody to consider is the impact such legislation has on smaller businesses. Where our business operates, 60 per cent of business are either unoccupied or in liquidation. 

“Dog ownership is increasing so this problem is not going away.”
While others described terms of the licence “impractical”, such as a clause to include an isolation zone and an “introductory period” for dogs to visit the surroundings before being housed with the boarder. 

Ms Murray added: “We have been contacted by West Dunbartonshire Council to bring dogs in in emergency situations, perhaps if a person is being taking in to hospital, but some of the conditions don’t allow for that.” 

The new regulations also include plans to limit the amount of dogs that can “freely mix” in a particular area, and the number of dogs that can be looked after by a single member of staff. 

Exercise, animal welfare and isolation as well as registry, isolation and the transportation of the animals will also be subject to regulation. 

However, council officers insist they will not take a “draconian” approach to the new licence, and councillors installed a 12 month review of the licence to determine its success. 

All three councillors present for the meeting, which is the final time the committee will meet before the local authority elections next month, agreed to introduce the licence. 

However, council officer Bob Mackie put forward a last minute amendment to help the six industry workers present cope with the impending £349 cost by extending the license period from 12 to 17 months. 

Mr Mackie said: “(Licences) are covered for a 12 month period from January to December but my suggestion is that it would be valid through to the end of 2018.”