DistantNews
Support us
Hong Kong restaurants welcome dogs as city eases pet-friendly rules
🇭🇰 Hong Kong /Culture & Society

Hong Kong restaurants welcome dogs as city eases pet-friendly rules

From Hong Kong Free Press · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Hong Kong has allowed dogs to enter restaurants for the first time in decades, a move aimed at boosting the city's struggling dining sector.
  • The new policy, which began Thursday, permits dogs in over 900 restaurants in its first phase, though hotpot and barbecue establishments are excluded for safety reasons.
  • While many dog owners welcome the change, some express concerns about hygiene and potential disruptions.

Hong Kong residents can now dine with their canine companions in air-conditioned restaurants, a significant shift from a decades-long ban. The new policy, rolled out Thursday, aims to revitalize the city's struggling hospitality industry by attracting more customers.

Usually we sit outside, but I just found out that we can bring the dog in today, so we were happy, because at least it won’t be so hot.

— Joe LamA Hong Kong resident expressing his satisfaction with the new policy allowing dogs in restaurants.

Joe Lam, a 62-year-old retiree, expressed his delight at being able to sit inside a cafe with his poodle, Glutinous Rice. "Usually we sit outside, but I just found out that we can bring the dog in today, so we were happy, because at least it won’t be so hot," Lam told AFP. More than 900 restaurants are participating in the initial phase of the pet-friendly scheme. However, certain types of eateries, like hotpot and barbecue restaurants, are not eligible due to safety concerns.

I think it’s great. It will give dog owners more choice.

— Joe LamA Hong Kong resident commenting on the new pet-friendly policy.

The change comes after Chief Executive John Lee called for the promotion of a "pet-friendly culture" to capitalize on the growing pet market. Hong Kong is home to over 400,000 pet cats and dogs among its 7.5 million residents. Restaurant owner Vanshika Sharma hopes the policy will increase customer numbers, especially on weekends when residents might travel to Shenzhen for better deals. "Overall, it should help the industry flourish," Sharma said.

Overall, it should help the industry flourish.

— Vanshika SharmaA restaurant owner expressing hope that the new policy will boost business.

Despite the enthusiasm from many, not all residents are pleased. One elderly man, who preferred to remain anonymous, voiced his concerns: "I did not want to dine next to dogs, fearing they would urinate on the floor. It’ll dirty up the place." Strict regulations are in place, requiring dogs to be leashed at all times and prohibiting them from dining tables or food preparation areas. Operators must disinfect any areas where dogs defecate, with violations potentially leading to fines of up to HK$10,000 (US$1,275) and jail time.

It’ll dirty up the place.

— Elderly manA resident expressing concern about hygiene with dogs in restaurants.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hong Kong Free Press in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog