Melbourne man is slugged with massive $960 fine after breaking little-known rule while walking dogs
A dog walker has criticised the council for unfairly targeting him in a bid to ‘make money’ by fining him for walking too many dogs in an off-leash area.
Ron Buch, owner of Watch Pets, was fined $960 by the City of Port Phillip in Melbourne after walking ten dogs off-leash near the St Kilda boardwalk in December last year.
The frustrated dog walker claims that over the past two years he has noticed the municipality taking stricter action against his profession.
The case was brought before the Melbourne District Court, where Mr Buch’s company pleaded guilty to walking too many dogs without a licence.
“I have been walking dogs for over 20 years and have never had a problem,” Mr. Buch told the Herald Sun out of court.
Mr Buch claimed that other dog walking businesses had been forced to close due to financial problems.
Dog walkers in the City of Port Phillip must have a permit if they walk more than seven dogs at a time.
Mr Buch had the permit, but he ignored the condition that dogs must be kept on a leash at all times, even in areas where dogs are allowed to run free.
Ron Buch (pictured) of Watchpets was fined $960 for walking 10 dogs without a leash in an area where they were allowed
City of Port Phillip Mayor Heather Cunsolo said Mr Buch was caught with ten dogs running loose in an area where dogs are allowed.
“We introduced the permit last year after local residents raised concerns about the ability of commercial dog walkers to control large numbers of dogs in public spaces, including off-leash areas,” Ms Cunsolo said.
In the City of Port Phillip area, council staff patrol daily to ensure dog owners and other permit holders adhere to the rules.
Ms Cunsolo said the patrols ensure the areas remain “safe, clean and enjoyable”.
She added that council officials do not specifically target specific categories of dog owners and that both businesses and individuals must adhere to council rules.
The council originally fined Mr Buch $960, but the City of Port Phillip District Attorney sought a $1,200 fine when Mr Buch took the matter to court.
The Melbourne District Court reduced the fine to $200 and ordered Mr Buch to pay that fine, plus $150 in costs.
The Melbourne District Court ordered Mr Buch to pay $350 after hearing his licence only allowed him to run a maximum of seven dogs off-leash, even in areas where off-leash behaviour is permitted.
Mr Buch claimed that he did not understand the terms of his permit and that he was convinced that dogs were allowed to run free in places where they were allowed.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the City of Port Phillip and Mr Buch for comment.