Tuesday 1 December 2009
LIBERALS & NATIONALS: DOGS SHOULD COEXIST IN HARMONY AT FOOTPATH CAFES
Dogs on leads will be welcome within outside eating areas accompanied by their owners under proposed new legislation designed to overcome health and safety issues and give residents a chance to spend leisure time with their companion animals.
Shadow Minister for Inter-Governmental Relations, Chris Hartcher MP will introduce a Liberals & Nationals private member’s Bill at the behest of Deputy NSW Opposition Leader and North Shore MP Jillian Skinner with support from Mosman Deputy Mayor Simon Menzies to enable dog friendly spaces outside cafes and restaurants.
“Coffee lovers, dogs and their owners can coexist in outside eating areas, and this Bill will enable that to happen,” Mr Hartcher said.
“For too long dog lovers who also love their coffee have had to either leave their animal at home or grab a takeaway instead of catching up with friends,” he said.
“This legislation will amend both the Companion Animals Act 1998 and the Food Act 2003 by permitting the presence of dogs in outside areas where food is served, providing a number of conditions are met.”
These conditions include:
- A dog being under the control of its owner in the outside area and being restrained on a lead not more than 2.5 metres long;
- The owner or person in control of the dog would not be permitted to enter the outside area through the café premises, and;
- The area in question must not be "completely or substantially" enclosed by a roof or walls.
Mrs Skinner said she was thrilled with the proposed amendments.
“This is a common sense solution,” Mrs Skinner said.
“This Bill will enable people to enjoy the company of their pets in public while walking or stopping at a café with outside seating without any hygiene problems,” she said.
“I have been a dog lover all my life and I know a great many people in our community depend on their dogs for companionship and they have been upset that they have not been able to freely walk their pets and stop at a café along the way to enjoy a coffee, snack or to have a chat with friends.
“It will clarify the responsibilities of dog owners and café proprietors so no one is potentially breaking the law during an activity which is very much part of our modern way of life,” Mrs Skinner said.