More than 940 restaurants welcomed dogs on Thursday under a new licence scheme, but viral clips of pets on tables and one cafe's withdrawal over safety concerns have fuelled online arguments about hygiene and behaviour.
Hong Kong’s dog-friendly restaurant scheme began on Thursday with more than 940 outlets participating. Clips of dogs licking plates and sitting on furniture quickly spread online, prompting discussions on public hygiene and pet conduct.
A branch of Cafe 100% in Ma On Shan’s Kam Ying Court Shopping Centre withdrew from the scheme on Friday. Staff cited concerns that the tight space and staff carrying boiling water could endanger dogs, adding that no customer complaints had been received.
Nine other Cafe 100% branches retained their licences, according to the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department website. Some online users defended the behaviour of many dogs, while others raised hygiene issues.