Dining out with dogs
Dogs can now join their owners when dining ‘al fresco’ in designated outdoor areas.
The NSW laws that used to prohibit dogs from cafes and restaurants have been amended. Dogs are now allowed in outdoor dining areas such as those set up on public footpaths at the discretion of the café/restaurant.
Where café and restaurant operators allow dogs in outdoor dining areas, the dog must be on a leash and remain on the ground at all times. While dogs can have a drink of water, they can’t be given any food during their café/restaurant visit.
The ‘outdoor dining area’ must not be enclosed or accessed via an enclosed area. For example, if a café has a courtyard out the back, owners cannot take their dogs through the café and into the courtyard.
Dogs are of course still prohibited from food preparation areas. The amendment does not apply to restricted breeds and dogs that have been declared dangerous.
Note for café and restaurant operators
If you decide to allow dogs in outdoor dining areas, the City of Sydney recommends you set any conditions required (including those above), inform patrons of these conditions and monitor compliance to avoid misunderstandings or complaints.
Outdoor dining in off-leash areas
If the outdoor dining area is located in an off-leash area designated by council, the amended laws allow for dogs to:
• be off-leash but under effective control*
• be provided with food as long as it is on the ground and not provided using utensils that are used for human food consumption
• sit on a person’s lap, but not on any table or chair or anywhere that it could make contact with utensils used for the consumption of food by humans.
*Owners are of course still responsible for controlling their dogs in off-leash areas and must make sure their dog does not impact on the welfare of other people, dogs and other animals.
Entry conditions for assistance and police dogs
Police dogs and assistance animals used by a person with a disability (such as a guide dog) are allowed to enter all public places including the customer areas of food service businesses such as restaurants, cafes, pubs and clubs.
If a guide dog is in a harness it means it is working and assisting a person who is blind or has impaired vision to move around safely and independently.
A harnessed guide dog is allowed entry into restaurants under several laws and refusing a harnessed guide dog entry to a café or restaurant can result in legal action for the business owner.
It is important that food service businesses understand their obligations in regards to allowing a guide dogs access. For a free “Guide Dogs Welcome Here” information kit call Guide Dogs NSW/ACT on 02 9412 9300 or visit www.guidedogs.com.au.
Last Updated: Wednesday 22 September, 2010