Dogs rule, or rules for dogs?

There are currently around 700 local Councils across Australia, and each and every one of them has their set of rules for “companion animals”.  Finally, the Federal Government is now stepping in and preparing to overturn state and local laws that restrict our four legged friends from outdoor eating areas.

Having recently returned from Europe, where it is not unusual to find a dog sitting on the chair at the next table in a restaurant, or pets in hotels and travelling on public transport, I am not sure I understand the rationale of Councils such as Mosman and North Sydney which only allow dogs in outdoor eating areas provided the area is not enclosed.  Surely outdoors is outdoors, and it doesn’t become indoors when it’s contained within a couple of planter boxes, does it?  Well according to the Councils it sure does!

With one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world – 63% – it’s time for us to join great Cities like Paris, Amsterdam, London, New York and Geneva – and give a bit more leeway to encourage people to get out and about with their dogs.  We all know that this promotes good health, both for the owner and the dog, so anything that encourages and enables that is going to be beneficial for us all in the long run.  Whether that means a trip on the bus or train with your pooch, or a stroll down the road for a dog-a-chino, let’s get with the programme and put a stop to the excess of rules around just about everything we do these days.   Bring it on, and the sooner the better I say!

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