Dogs allowed on restaurant patios
HALIFAX — Pet owners heading out to restaurant, bar or cafe patios in Nova Scotia will no longer have to leave their dogs at home.
As of Tuesday, dogs are allowed to accompany their owner or caretaker while they eat and/or drink on a restaurant patio or sidewalk cafe.
Gordon Stewart, executive director of the Restaurant Association of Nova Scotia, said the food service industry, which has been hit financially by the COVID-19 pandemic, welcomes the change.
"Our research shows that restaurants that allow dogs see a five per cent increase in sales," Stewart said in a news release.
"Many dog owners are more likely to linger on their favourite patio and order food or another beverage if their dog can stay with them. It's good for our industry and for our customers."
Business owners will decide whether or not they will allow dogs on their patios, but the patio must be accessible from the street as dogs are not allowed inside restaurants. If a business is allowing dogs on its patio or sidewalk cafe, a sign must be posted to notify people.
A business may also limit the number of dogs allowed at one time and ask someone to remove their dog if it is misbehaving.
Brian Titus, who is the
founder and president of dogfriendly Garrison Brewing Company in Halifax and a dog owner himself, welcomed the news.
“I think it’s great,” said Titus, owner of a black and tan hound dog named Cassie. “I’ve always, always been a dog owner and so it means I have more places to go with the dog.”
Titus said he understands that not all businesses will
want to host dogs like Garrison has at the Halifax Seaport and Oxford Taproom, since some serve food whereas Garrison does not, but he believes those that do will be able to provide a “fun” environment for dog owners and their pooches.
“Dogs are a part of people’s lives and so they just feel really happy to have places where they can bring their dog and hang out with their friends and just socialize,” he added.
Dog owners are to adhere by rules, such as keeping their dog on the ground and away from aisles and cleaning up any waste immediately. Dogs are also not to be fed while at the patio or sidewalk cafe, but are allowed to drink water from a bowl brought by the owner.
Premier Iain Rankin said the change will still hold up food safety standards.
"The new rules will still protect food safety and allow restaurants to offer this option if that's what their customers want," Rankin said.
The news, however, was met with mixed emotions on social media.
While some people said they were excited to bring their dogs with them to a patio in the future, others were opposed to the change.