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Lo Hoi-ying

Hong Kong’s food hygiene authorities are training 90 officers to assist and inspect restaurants applying for a new dog licence, while a cafe owner expects the framework to reduce legal grey areas when it goes into effect.
Applications for the licence will open on Monday, with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department expecting the scheme to launch in July with a maximum quota of 1,000 restaurants in the first phase.
Benny Yip Kwok-cheung, senior superintendent of legislative review, said the department had held the first training session for its team of 90 staff members.
“For all 1,000 restaurants, officers will go down directly to explain the laws and licensing conditions,” he said.
“During the first month, the team will conduct inspections and follow up on daily operations and difficulties the restaurants face.”
Yip added that the officers would be trained on what practices to inspect and how to interpret the law during enforcement, especially regarding licensing conditions.
“When we go into restaurants, we hope to help them solve their difficulties and remind both customers and staff about what constitutes a violation,” he said.
If the number of applicants for the new licence exceeds the 1,000 quota, permits will be allocated by ballot.
Restaurants with a floor area greater than 215 sq ft (20 square metres) can apply, but hotpot, teppanyaki and barbecue restaurants, including Korean-style establishments, are not eligible for safety reasons.


Under the policy, dogs must be kept on leads no longer than 1.5 metres (4.9 feet) and remain under the control of an adult. Pets must also be kept at least 1.5 metres away from food preparation areas, including bar counters and salad bars.
Zac Chan, the owner of Hooman, said he was eager to apply for the licence as pet friendliness was a core value of his eatery.
The cafe is located in The Mills shopping centre in Tsuen Wan, and is popular among pet owners for its policy allowing leashed cats and dogs on its premises.
“We want to apply to resolve any legal grey areas,” he said.
He added that he was seeking the licence as a matter of preference rather than as a profit-making strategy.
“I don’t think it will lead to a massive spike in business, because at the end of the day, food and drink quality is what attracts guests,” he said.
“Welcoming pets could bring in some customers, but I do not see it as a long-term business strategy.”
Chan acknowledged that applying for the licence could cause tensions between customers who liked animals and those who did not. But he said his establishment was prepared to maintain cleanliness by providing products such as paw sprays, mats and even diapers, so that pets would not affect other guests.
Cat owner Shirley Chan, who was at the restaurant with her white Maine Coon, said she would feel more assured about Hong Kong’s progress towards being more pet-friendly if dogs were legally permitted to enter.
“But we would prefer separate sitting areas for dogs and cats, as some cats might be more afraid,” she said.
Residents taking their pets out for a trip to the West Kowloon Cultural District said they greatly welcomed the new policy.
Kelvin Li, out for a picnic with his family and black mongrel on Friday afternoon, said the licence would allow dog owners to seek shelter indoors during poor weather.
Asked about the potential friction between customers, he said diners with concerns about animals could visit restaurants that did not allow dogs.
“At the end of the day, not all restaurants welcome pets, so they have many options. But I believe people should coexist with all living things harmoniously,” he said.
Michael Chan, who has two bichons, said he welcomed the scheme as it would be more comfortable sitting indoors with air conditioning during summer.
“It is rare for the government to take the first step and make this change,” he said.

Garrick Poon Kwok-wai, director at My Dog Fits, a canine training service, said owners could train their pets while dining at home to teach them how to behave in a restaurant environment.
This included focusing training to ensure that the pets’ attention stayed on their owners even when there were distractions, he added.
Poon said owners should keep their pets calm and look out for signs of stress such as licking, shaking, yawning, refusing food, fidgeting or panting.
“I suggest meeting their dogs’ needs, using up their mental and physical energy before they enter a restaurant,” he said. “Once they are satisfied, bring them inside.”
Food refusal drills would also train dogs not to react to food from strangers or pieces of food that accidentally fell onto the floor, he added.
For society to progress towards integration with pets, mutual respect between pet owners and the public was needed, and both sides would have to avoid escalation in cases of conflict, Poon said.
“If we all put ourselves in others’ shoes, most importantly, show respect and do our part, the public will eventually see that dogs can be calm, polite and tidy guests in restaurants and public places,” he said.


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Hong Kong society

Dog-friendly restaurants will get 90 officers helping them meet licence rules

A poodle outside a restaurant in Happy Valley. Under the new policy for licensed establishments, dogs must be kept on leads no longer than 1.5 metres and remain under an adult's control. Photo: Nora Tam

A dog beside its owner at a restaurant in Happy Valley. Photo: Nora Tam

No hotpot: Hong Kong dog-friendly restaurants face menu and layout limits

A dog owner sits with his pets outside a cafe in Kennedy Town. Photo: Karma Lo

A diner with her dog. Hotpot, teppanyaki and barbecue restaurants, including Korean-style establishments, cannot apply for the new permits. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong restaurants can apply from May 18 to become dog-friendly venues

Hong Kong restaurants will be able to apply for licences from May 18 to allow dogs under a new scheme. Photo: Sam Tsang

Under the scheme, dogs must be kept on leads no longer than 1.5 metres and under the control of an adult. Photo: Sam Tsang

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Hong Kong authorities will help facilitate roll-out of new permit in July, with officers trained to explain licensing terms and inspect premises


Hong Kong authorities will help facilitate roll-out of new permit in July, with officers trained to explain licensing terms and inspect premises.


Dog-friendly restaurants will get 90 officers helping them meet licence rules

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Hong Kong authorities will help facilitate roll-out of new permit in July, with officers trained to explain licensing terms and inspect premises

Hong Kong authorities will help facilitate roll-out of new permit in July, with officers trained to explain licensing terms and inspect premises