Council cracks down on alfresco pets dog-gone dining

Andrew Mathieson
WALKING rover to a cafe to sit down together at a table for a coffee could soon be a thing of the past on the region’s alfresco streets.
A number of complaints about cafe patrons allowing dogs to sit in dining areas within the vicinity of serving and consumption of food have forced City of Greater Geelong to take action.
But owners have slammed the “ridiculous” crackdown, labelling it just another example of authorities alienating people from their pets.
The city’s health and local laws manager Gen Hindman said council was encouraging owners to chain dogs a safe distance from tables in alfresco dining areas.
Dog owners had been caught feeding pets leftover food, washing dog bowls with cafe utensils and letting their pets drink from crockery.
“We expect water bowls to be in a location separate to the tables,” Ms Hindman said.
“Such matters have been addressed through newsletters, annual inspections and the following up of concerns expressed to council officers from staff and patrons.”
Ms Hindman said some incidents even related to dogs sitting on tables, which contravened public health standards.
The City had no power to order pets away from alfresco dining areas but council was implementing food act restrictions on where food could be served, including beer gardens, she said.
Council officers had already discussed breaches of permit conditions with cafe owners.
“We seek to achieve a balance between what is fair and equitable while at the same time meeting our responsibilities for good public health standards,”Ms Hindman said.
Ms Hindman said dogs were also raising concern about safe pedestrian access between tables and walkways. Cafe staff were also entitled to a safe workplaces where they did not expect to be “tripped, bitten or subjected to potential problems”, including allergic reactions to pets.
Geelong Obedience Dog Club secretary Karen Millard said the strong enforcement of the food act was “ridiculous”.
“It’s an issue because owners and their dogs are getting alienated from everything of late,” she said.
Ms Millard said dogs trained for good social etiquette should be allowed to sit with their owners.
“To be honest, I feel there are a lot cleaner dogs in this world than there are people,” she said.