Over 1,400 restaurants apply to welcome dogs as new hygiene guidelines issued in HK

Following the recent enactment of an amended regulation permitting dogs in licensed eateries, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has received over 1,400 applications from restaurants eager to welcome canine companions.

In tandem with the enthusiastic response, authorities issued a comprehensive set of guidelines detailing strict hygiene, seating, and safety protocols for operators, pet owners, and general diners to ensure a harmonious dining environment.

Restrictions and requirements

Under the newly released Guidelines on Good Practices and Behaviour, adult customers are advised to bring no more than two dogs per person.

Pet owners must maintain strict control of their animals using a leash no longer than one and a half meters or by securing them to a fixed object.

The rules specifically dictate that minors are not permitted to hold the leash. Meanwhile, restaurant operators retain the flexibility to determine the maximum number of dogs allowed on their premises, as well as specific permissible days and times, depending on the size of the venue, seat spacing, and customer traffic.

Strict feeding and seating protocols

To maintain rigorous hygiene standards, licensing conditions strictly prohibit dogs from being placed on dining tables or using any of the restaurant's reusable tableware.

Customers wishing to feed their pets must bring their own dog food, water, and containers.

The guidelines also forbid patrons from asking restaurant staff to heat up pet food, and eateries are prohibited from preparing or cooking meals for animals. Regarding seating, restaurants have the discretion to arrange placements, though they are advised to keep large dogs off the seats.

For venues with food conveyor belts or seats made of absorbent materials, dogs should remain on the floor or use pet pads. Furthermore, customers with dogs are barred from sitting at bar counters connected to open kitchens.

Waste and nuisances

Eateries are required to establish clear procedures for handling pet waste. If a dog soils the premises, immediate and thorough cleaning and disinfection must be carried out.

The guidelines suggest that if customers are expected to clean up after their pets, staff should provide necessary assistance. Should a restaurant offer cleaning services for a fee, this must be clearly stated in the customer notices to prevent disputes.

Staff handling animal waste are required to wear protective gear and dispose of the materials in dedicated bins. In cases where a dog exhibits continuous barking, aggressive behavior, or causes a nuisance, operators should ask the owner to take appropriate control measures, which may include temporarily escorting the animal outside.

Restaurants are also encouraged to accommodate general diners who feel uncomfortable by offering seat changes or packaging their unfinished meals for takeout so they can leave early.

Mandatory reporting 

In the unfortunate event of a dog bite, restaurants are instructed to remind the pet owner to contact the police.

Operators may also report the incident directly to law enforcement and inform their insurance companies to handle potential legal and compensation issues.

With the consent of the involved parties, establishments can help record the contact details of the owner and the injured party for follow-up purposes. Notably, licensing conditions mandate that restaurant operators must report any such incidents to the director of the food and environmental hygiene department within two working days.

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