A proposal to charge dog walkers up to $200 a year to become licensed is getting mixed reaction from critics who call it little more than a cash grab.

Under the proposed city bylaw, professional dog walkers could see themselves limited to five or six canines at a time. Annual licensing fees could range from $100 to $200.

Coun. Paula Fletcher, who represents Ward 30 Toronto-Danforth, spearheaded the campaign and says the money would go toward repairing parks damaged by high numbers of dogs.

"They are using city parks in a commercial way and they are going over the number of dogs anyone is allowed to walk at one time," said Fletcher.

At a city council meeting Wednesday night to discuss the proposal, a number of angry dog walkers said the permit would be unfair, impossible to control and would create animosity among dog walkers.

Some professional dog walkers say the proposed amount is too much and will lead to fighting among park users.

"There will be fights in the parks with people not with dogs, but with people telling other people what to do," said Lily Green, who has worked as a dog walker for 17 years.

Not all dog owners were opposed to the idea though, saying as long as it meant an experienced person was taking care of their pets, the change would be worth it.

"I definitely want somebody responsible walking my dog, so I would want somebody licensed for sure," said dog owner Melee Hutton.

But Michael Rerrie, another dog owner, doubts the licensing fee would involve training, calling it a mere "tax grab."

The issue is set to go before city council on July 16.