HK considers relaxing decades-old ban on dogs in food premises
發佈日期: 2025-06-08 22:23
TVB News
The Hong Kong government is reviewing a decades-old prohibition on dogs in food premises, possibly easing the law.
Legal experts are proposing phased trials as the city weighs public health concerns against a growing demand for pet-friendly spaces.
Under the current legal framework, all dogs are barred from food premises.
The only exceptions are guide dogs and dogs in connection with the exercise of a lawful power.
This pet-friendly restaurant was forced to suspend operations for seven days earlier this year after violating the rule.
Following its reopening, the restaurant implemented a "no-dog policy" and would only offer priority window seating to pet owners.
Despite recognising some patrons' concerns over allergies and the problem of cynophobia, Mr. On, the restaurant's owner, finds the inconsistency in pet policies unfair, as only dogs are prohibited from entering.
Authorities are currently looking into relaxing the decades-old ban on dogs in dining establishments.
Dog owner Patrick:"It's so inconvenient for us, we always want to have lunch or dinner with our pets, but I think there's only a little choice. When I travel to mainland China, maybe they are more free to allow the pets to enter maybe shopping and restaurants, and even though I think a bit far away, Hong Kong is much retreated."
Agnes:"Some people have allergies so I feel like it's best if you don't bring your dogs, (but) sometimes I feel bad for the dogs just staying at home all day."
Barrister Albert Luk explained the current prohibition on dogs in dining establishments stems from 1950s public health concerns over the outbreak of rabies.
With the advancement of rabies vaccines and the atmosphere of a responsible pet culture, he believes there is room to modernise the policies.
He proposed implementing a pilot scheme that would allow licensed restaurants to open outdoor areas to pet dogs, with the aim of gradually modernising regulations based on accumulated experience before considering broader expansion.
The Environment and Ecology Bureau earlier stated that the government needs to take into account different factors including public health when examining the legislation, and the bureau, together with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, is conducting research on practices and experiences in other places and will carefully consider whether there is room for relaxing the restrictions.
