Bringing pets out of

OF all the topics I’ve researched and written about, there is one that generates more discussion than any other — pets in public places. On one hand people passionate about pets bemoan the fact that there are so few opportunities to interact with their furry friends in spaces such as parks, beaches, at cafes and on public transport.

The opposing view is that the status quo should remain and we do not need more pets in public places, and certainly not badly behaved pooches and their accompanying badly behaved owners.

In Australia more of us live in a house with a dog and/or a cat than with a child. The ratio of pets to people in Australia is 101:100 — there are more animal companions than homo sapiens. Despite the fact that pets outnumber people in Australia, if you want to take your dog into the city, perhaps using public transport, this is not possible.

About 62 per cent of Australian households have a pet. This rate is similar to the US where household pet ownership is 65 per cent, but much higher than the United Kingdom and continental Europe (40 per cent).

And yet in places such as London and Paris pets are much more visible in public places and they are much more tolerated by the general public. Pets are welcome on trains, buses, aeroplanes and in cafes, bars, restaurants and department stores. Dogs and owners spend time together in parks, beaches and public squares.

In Australia, including here in Tasmania, pets are not welcome in public. Sure, if you venture to your local corner store you’ll likely see dogs outside on the footpath waiting for their owners, but travel further afield, into the centre of Hobart for example, and you are unlikely to see many dogs or other pets.

In local council areas, the presence of domesticated animals is restricted and enforced by myriad council bylaws. Yes, there are a few dog beaches but most local parks and beaches are usually off-limits and the fines for noncompliance are substantial. The same applies to cafes, bars, restaurants, shops and taxis, buses and trains. Why is our attitude towards pets in public so restrictive?

It may have something to do with

the way we live. Historically, the Australian dream was to live in a house on a quarter-acre block with a large backyard and plenty of space for the kids and the pets. When we went out, we could leave the dog at home safe in the knowledge there was room for them to run around.

Now though, new housing developments tend to have larger houses and garages which take up much more space on the block, leaving little space for front or back yards.

Many of us are also moving from the suburbs and into higher-density apartment living. With outdoor living space disappearing, or at a premium, pets and their owners must increasingly turn to public spaces for social activity, exercise and interaction. High density living has traditionally been a feature of large international cities and so people are used to being out and about in public with their pets — it is a necessity borne out of apartment living.

In Australia there are 4.8 million pet dogs, 4.2 million pet birds and 3.9 million pet cats. More than half, 59 per cent, of those who do not have a pet report they would like one in the future. For many people, especially those without children, pets are increasingly being anthropomorphised and replacing human family members.

Research confirms the many benefits of pet ownership. In terms of general health and wellbeing, owning a pet improves our mental health and provides the impetus to exercise.

Louise Grimmer

Pet ownership also allows for interaction with others in social settings and in local communities. The importance of pets in fostering social interaction has been established in a study conducted by researchers at the University of Western Australia who found owning a pet is important for increasing social connectedness in neighbourhoods. And 60 per cent of study participants who owned a dog knew their neighbours better than those without a dog.

For older Australians issues around increasing health and happiness are particularly important. Tasmanian author Paul McIntyre’s new book about positive ageing Use it or lose it, notes a number of significant benefits of pet ownership and social interaction for older people. The preliminary findings of a Swedish study found a link between dog ownership and the reduced risk of heart disease and early mortality. Other studies have confirmed owning a dog can even help us sleep better and generally be happier.

Given Tasmania has an ageing population, with increased numbers of single households, and many of us are choosing to live in smaller houses or apartments, should we as a community think about allowing for more interaction with animals in public?

As Hobart and other parts of the state engage in city planning to make places that are “smart”, “green” and “walkable”, perhaps the focus should also be on making Tasmania more pet-friendly by providing outdoor spaces that foster interaction between animals and humans. A city planning approach that recognises the benefits of human-animal interaction would help us strengthen social ties, build local communities, improve our health and reduce social isolation. Over to you dear readers. Your thoughts? Dr Louise Grimmer is a retail marketing academic in the Tasmanian School of Business and Economics at the University of Tasmania.