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More than 30 Hong Kong restaurants withdraw from dog dining scheme

Hong Kong’s environment chief said authorities carried out 14,000 inspections in the first two weeks, issuing 70 verbal warnings and receiving 65 complaints.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Asia

More than 30 restaurants have pulled out of Hong Kong’s newly launched dog-friendly dining scheme, with the city’s environment chief saying compliance remains “acceptable” as officials work through early issues. Tse Chin-wan said some 31 eateries had withdrawn since the scheme was introduced two weeks ago.

Hong Kong’s Food and Environmental Hygiene Department dispatched a team of 90 people, conducted 14,000 inspections, and issued 70 verbal warnings, while also receiving 65 complaints, Tse told a radio programme. He said the department expects these “teething” problems to be gradually resolved.

The scheme allows customers to dine with dogs after operators obtain permits, ending Hong Kong’s 30-year ban originally imposed to prevent rabies. Tse said 940 restaurants and eateries began allowing dogs under the programme after getting permits out of more than 2,100 applications, which exceeded the initial quota of 1,000.

The reporting said the programme also helped some operators regularize their practices, moving away from grey-area approaches such as using outdoor seating areas, and that pet owners largely welcomed the change. The article noted some residents view it as aligned with similar dining arrangements already common in mainland China, France, and the United Kingdom.

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