- Greens MP pushing for dogs to be allowed into pub at the publican’s discretion
- Current legislation says that animals cannot be in areas where food is handled
- Bill calls for pub owner’s to decide if they want to allow dogs into their premises
- Initial investigation revealed hundreds of ‘mostly positive’ responses to the idea
The Greens are set to move a bill into the parliament that will allow dogs to go into pubs with their owners at the discretion of the publican.
MP Jamie Parker wants to amend the ‘restrictive laws’ NSW Companion Animals Act, as they have in the UK and parts of Europe.
‘We believe that there’s a strong argument for changing these restrictive laws to allow pub proprietors to have the right to welcome dogs into their establishments,’ Mr Parker told the Daily Telegraph.
Greens MP Jamie Parker (right) wants to amend the ‘restrictive laws’ and introduce legislation so that dogs will be able to go into pubs with their owners if the publican chooses to allow it
As it stands, the 2003 Food Act prohibits businesses from allowing ‘live animals in areas in which food is handled’ – although assistance animals and some outdoor areas are exceptions.
People found with dogs inside public places can be fined up to $880 for each offence.
An investigation into the issue received ‘hundreds of responses, the vast majority of which were in favour’ of publicans deciding if they want to allow dogs inside.
‘Pub owners should be able to decide for themselves whether allowing dogs in is right for their establishment and their customers,’ Mr Parker said in a statement.
‘Some businesses may have a ‘no pets’ policy; others may welcome well-behaved dogs in public areas.
‘We don’t need government legislation on this, especially when dogs are already allowed into outdoor areas at the proprietors’ discretion.’
Mr Parker said businesses should decide for themselves if they want to have a no-pets policy
Anna Kessler, who manages The Erko pub, says allowing dogs inside will ‘add to the business’
General manager of The Erko in Erskineville, Anne Kessler, is ‘absolutely in favour’ of changing the legislation around pets indoors.
‘It would be something we would embrace and we believe that it would add to the business,’ she said.
Mr Parker will address state parliament to move a motion to amend this legislation in the coming months.