Hong Kong lawmakers have called a new government proposal to allow up to 1,000 restaurants to welcome dogs a “good step forward”, with one legislator saying the measure could be a “test case” for the pet economy.
Agriculture and fisheries sector lawmaker Chan Pok-chi said on Wednesday the measure balanced the needs of the public and restaurants.
“This is the first time that [authorities] have loosened regulations in the past 30 or so years; I think it’s a proposal that responds to the demands of restaurants while balancing diners’ needs,” he told a radio programme.
The Environment and Ecology Bureau proposed on Tuesday that all licensed restaurants could apply to become dog-friendly premises, except those serving hotpot and barbecue due to “safety concerns”.
It suggested setting a quota of about 500 to 1,000 eateries, or 3 to 5 per cent of Hong Kong’s restaurants, in the first phase. Authorities would draw lots if there was an excess of applications.
Chan noted that the government’s proposed quota meant only a small percentage of the city’s thousands of eateries would be registered as dog-friendly, giving operators flexibility to determine how best to welcome pets into their establishments, while ensuring diners who do not like dogs still have plenty of options.
He added that the proposed rules – including prohibiting dogs from using utensils intended for customers and requiring them to be leashed or tied to a fixture at all times – would be acceptable to all parties.
