Here are my thoughts before getting into the “powers that be” information.
As a dog owner we should make our furry friends a part of our life and eating out is a big part of it. If your dog is good around others and loves being around people than you should be getting out there with your dog.
In Brisbane over the last couple of years we are seeing more and more restaurants and cafes making it obvious, with signs, that they are dog friendly. This is because they are smart and want to make money.
In most cases we don’t take our dog out to lunch with us because we think there is a law that doesn’t allow it. Well there is. The law/rules say that it is up to the owner of the business and if they want our money (by allowing dogs) and we have sit in an outdoor area with our fur kid.
With all the cafes and restaurant in Brisbane with street side dining there are a lot of business owners that should make it more obvious. But like a lot of us they simple don’t know what the “rules” are.
The easiest way to find out if your local cafe allows dogs outside is to ask. This usually works best when you look hungry and you have your dog looking beautiful with you, because if they say no, they know they are losing your business.
So what can we all do to make Brisbane more dog friendly?
If you get a “NO” and they don’t want your dog to dine with you, simply ask why? If they say it is about their food license or the law just let them know what the Brisbane city council has to say. (see below) If they don’t allow dogs because they don’t want dogs at their restaurant, accept it. They may not want it to lower the standard or look of their cafe or restaurant, and that is their choice so don’t get offended, just go elsewhere to spend your money.
The following information is taken from the Queensland government website.
Dogs in outdoor dining areas
Food businesses may choose to allow dogs in outdoor dining areas, providing certain criteria are met. There are also regulations around assistance animals in outdoor, and indoor eating environments, but this does not include companion animals.
Read more about the responsibilities of businesses that allow animals in food premises
As a customer, if you choose to take your dog to an outdoor dining area you have certain responsibilities too:
- respect the food business’ choice as to whether or not they permit a dog (that is not an assistance animal) in their outdoor dining area
- maintain control of your animal while dining at the food premises.
- be aware of your legal obligations under relevant legislation:
- Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008
- Local laws
- Conditions of entry that apply to a location e.g. shopping centres, sporting grounds
Food businesses may exclude a dog that is not an assistance animal, for any reason.
If you have any further questions relating to animals in food premises, contact the local government for the area where you are located.
Tips for customers
Safety and comfort of other patrons
You are responsible for your animal at all times. You should:
- keep the dog tied to a tether point or ensure the dog remains close to you
- make all attempts to control the dog’s barking and address any other behavioural issues e.g. fighting with other dogs, unwelcome physical contact with other customers, or eating from customer’s plates
- remove the dog from the premises to an appropriate place, if you become aware of the dog’s need to urinate or defecate (it is your responsibility to clean up after your dog, including dog excrement, and dispose of waste appropriately)
- inform a staff member immediately of any dog excrement at the premises.
Food safety and hygiene
Patting dogs can increase risks of contamination for you and for the business’ staff. You should:
- refrain from touching dogs while eating
- not encourage food service staff or other customers to pat your dog.
If I wanted to eat in a dog kennel I would take my dinner to the rspca shelter.
I am allergic to dogs so why should the dog owner be allowed to take their unrestrained dogs into the coffee shop near me?
Each time I am the one forced to leave.
Dog owners might love their dogs but that does not mean I should also love them.
You could stay at home where there are no dogs and just order Uber Eats.
Of course Ella, people with allergies should stay home and not go out so people with no health issues can take their dogs out to the cafe ..sigh .. why care about your fellow humans?
It’s a good things that there are more restaurants and cafes in Brisbane that don’t allow dogs verses ones that do.
Simple answer is natural selection.
If you love your dog so much that you can’t have a coffee without it, buy a coffee machine. Treating someone with contempt for having an allergy is rude and entitled. I personally love dogs, but I don’t wan them near me i the cafe. Maybe you could also consider getting takeout and going to a park?
Just go to a cafe that does not allow dogs. You cannot expect every pet friendly coffee shop in Qld to change their rules just to suit you. Would you want to ban all assistance dogs too and deprive their owners of a coffee? It’s not the dog owners or coffee shops who are being selfish here.
I have been taking my dog to the mt.carbine hotel in far north queensland for 12 years.I was given this dog a rescue from arakun aboriginal mission at the very same place and never made it to the pound .Recently the narcissistic publican told me to tie my dog up the other end so it would not annoy the customers eating illegally in the designated smoking area.The publican allows his dogs all over the place including in the kitchen.He let’s rich people bring there dogs into the pub as well.I would much rather dogs than narcissists running my local anyway.
1000 Ann St, Fortitude Valley, the dining, shopping, office, Ovolo Hotel and residential space, is currently purpose building a specific dog public lavatory, at Guzman Gomez and the entrance to tallest residential building in the centre. Poo bins are included. Bring all your dogs.
The problem is you give an inch people take a mile I ve witnessed patrons feeding dogs with cafe utensils and drinking water from bowls and cups that will be reused for other customers. Disgusting. I also know of incidents where people who are scared of dogs panic when over friendly dogs approach and the over zealous owners get angry – rather than the other way around. Keep animals away from public spaces.