Australians could be issued an on-the-spot fine of up to $880 if they are caught bringing their pet dogs inside a McDonald’s restaurant.
Data from the Animal Medicines Australia 2022 survey shows 48 per cent of all Australian households include a dog – equating to an estimated 6.4million pets nationwide.
But despite pet pooches being found in almost half of the country’s homes, dog-friendly dining is still very rare.
No-go zones including parks, beaches, child care centres and children’s playgrounds are enforced by local councils.
Food Standards Australia and New Zealand also enforces a strict ban on dogs being brought inside pubs, cafes and restaurants – including McDonald’s.
dog owners were spotted waiting for their food inside a McDonald’s restaurant in Melbourne while their pet chihuahua sat on a table (pictured)
Owners caught with a dog within 10metres of a food preparation area could be hit with an on-the-spot fine ranging from $330 to $880.
A reminder about the fine comes after dog owners were spotted waiting for their food inside a McDonald’s restaurant in Melbourne while their pet chihuahua sat on a table.
A picture of the fast-food patrons was shared on social media on Sunday showing the small black and white dog sitting on the table inside the McDonald’s on St Kilda Road, Melbourne.
‘Who doesn’t love some dirty dog anus on their Maccas table,’ the outraged diner captioned the photo.
The picture has received many similar comments, with others labelling the act ‘disgusting’.
McDonald’s Australia told Daily Mail Australia the fast food chain has a strict policy on dogs inside their restaurants.
‘We do not allow dogs into our restaurants for safety and hygiene purposes, with the exception of support animals,’ McDonald’s Australia said.
‘We expect customers to follow the restaurant entry rules.
‘Our restaurants follow strict cleaning, sanitisation and hygiene procedures at all times.’
McDonald’s Australia explained the restaurant does not issue fines to patrons breaching its policy.
With the exception of support animals, staff will politely ask a diner breaching the policy to remove their pet from the dining room for safety and hygiene purposes.
Pet dogs are only allowed at a pub, restaurant or a cafe’s outdoor area if they comply with rules set by Food Standards and Australia New Zealand (stock image)
The outdoor space must be accessible without having to go indoors, it cannot be enclosed and the dog must be kept on a leash, away from food preparation areas and and not near surfaces where food is served (stock image)
McDonald’s policy is in place to ensure the safety and cleanliness of the restaurants and to comply with federal regulations and codes around food, instituted by the Food and Drug Administration.
Service animals are the exception to the rule and are permitted inside McDonald’s, however, emotional support animals are not welcome inside the restaurant regardless of their behaviour.
Pet dogs are allowed in McDonald’s outdoor areas as long as owners comply with the rules set by the restaurant.
Since 2012, Food Standards and Australia New Zealand has allowed restaurants, pubs, and cafes to choose if they allow dogs in outdoor dining areas.
‘Pet dogs may be permitted, but only in outdoor dining areas that are not enclosed,’ Food Standards and Australia New Zealand website states.
The government regulatory body made the decision after determining the risk of dogs transmitting diseases to diners was ‘low to negligible’.
Permission is at the discretion of the business owner who must ‘decide whether or not you let customers have their dogs in outdoor dining areas’.
Dogs are permitted in outdoor areas as long as the space is not enclosed and is accessible without having to go inside.
Owners must also keep their dog on a lead, away from food prep areas and not near surfaces were food is served.
Restaurants have the right to refuse animals, with many arguing other patrons may be allergic to the animal or have a phobia.
Different rules apply to individuals with service dogs.
Service dogs are allowed in indoor and outdoor restaurant areas and must comply with different rules than pet dogs (stock image)
In 2020, New South Wales Greens MP Jamie Parker reintroduced a bill to change the laws that kept dogs from being allowed inside pubs but the proposal has not yet been made law.
‘All through Europe and the UK you’re allowed to have dogs in pubs, so I don’t know why Australia has to have more and more rules in place,’ Mr Parker said.
‘In our local Inner West area and in many country regions, dogs are part of the community and accompany their owners everywhere.
‘Being able to bring dogs into the local pub would enhance the quality of life not only for dog owners, but for dogs too.’
An earlier bid by Mr Parker in 2018 to change the law failed.
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