Hong Kong Dog-Friendly Restaurant Scheme Sparks Hygiene Debate

Hong Kong’s dog-friendly restaurant scheme has sparked a fierce online debate over public hygiene and acceptable pet behaviour, while a branch of a cafe has opted out of the initiative just three days after it took effect.

While more than 940 restaurants opened their doors to owners and their dogs last Thursday, clips showing dogs licking plates and sitting on dining tables and chairs have gone viral online.

But other internet users have also made the case that many canine diners have been well-behaved.

The debate raged as a branch of Cafe 100%, located in Ma On Shan’s Kam Ying Court Shopping Centre, posted a notice outside the premises on Friday saying it had opted out of the policy.

A staff member told the South China Morning Post that the cafe had pulled out over safety concerns.

“Our space is very tight, and staff are constantly carrying boiling water around, so we are concerned that dogs could easily get hurt,” she said, stressing that the decision was not the result of any complaints.