Wetherspoons bars dogs

Dogs will be banned from all Wetherspoons pubs from today.

The chain said that reasons for the ban included the fact that animals can be unpredictable and customers, many of whom include children, may be scared of them.

The company has had a nodogs policy since shortly after it was founded almost 40 years ago, but said it had allowed “a few exceptions” in recent years.

From today the policy will be strictly enforced, covering all canines except assistance dogs.

Spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “Even well-behaved dogs can be unpredictable.”

He added that the chain is mindful that “younger children in particular can be unpredictable around dogs and many are scared of dogs”.

The ban will cover all Wetherspoons pubs and outside areas.