Hong Kong government may set limit of 2 dogs per diner under new pet policy

The Hong Kong government is considering allowing a maximum of two dogs per diner into restaurants licenced under a new pet-friendly policy, with the permits possibly being granted only to larger premises at the outset. A day after authorities told lawmakers they had no intention to set limits on the number of dogs allowed into restaurants per customer, Secretary for the Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan said the government was reconsidering after receiving further feedback. “We previously did not focus on this matter, but we received a lot of feedback saying that one principle is that diners must control their dogs … If a dog bites someone, it is definitely the owner’s responsibility,” he told a radio show. “If a diner brings too many dogs, we also feel it may not be easy to control. I expect that two is the maximum. We will determine the exact number after consulting experts.” Tse said the government was also considering whether to grant the licence only to larger eateries in the initial stage of implementation. “We’ve heard many opinions suggesting that very small restaurants might not be suitable if it results in everyone being crammed together when dogs are present,” Tse said. “We will discuss with industry stakeholders and experts to determine a reasonable threshold [on the floor area] that balances the needs of all parties.” On Tuesday, the government released a proposal to amend the Food Business Regulation, which has barred dogs from eateries since 1994, as part of a longer-term plan to develop Hong Kong’s pet economy. The amendments are expected to be submitted for review by the Legislative Council within the first quarter of this year. Should the bill be greenlit, approved outlets could expect to receive licences by June. The paper proposed setting a quota of 500 to 1,000 restaurants in the first phase. Successful applicants would have to pay HK$140 (US$18) to add a dog-admission endorsement to their food business licence. “Known dangerous dogs” and “fighting dogs” will not be allowed into food premises under the proposal. Others must be kept on a leash no longer than 1.5 metres (5 feet) and be securely held by an adult or tied to a fixture. Licenced operators also cannot cook or heat food on the dining table, or allow dogs to use utensils intended for customers. However, given the differences in layout, staffing and operations, businesses will have the flexibility to establish their own house rules. A list of guidelines, including whether dogs should be allowed on customers’ seats or the number of dogs each customer may bring, will be provided for reference.