Dog owners have welcomed Hong Kong’s first wave of pet-friendly restaurants, but some have been disappointed by restrictive rules, confused staff and limited space, with one saying only half of her pet stroller could fit within the designated seating area.
After months of anticipation, the Food and Environment Hygiene Department granted an initial 1,000 permits by lottery in June, and 940 restaurants opened their doors to dogs on July 9.
Several businesses pulled out of the scheme days later, saying they needed more time to prepare, while others joined, taking the total to 971 as of Friday.
However, some operators have drawn criticism, with about 20 complaints filed with the department as of Monday.
The department also revealed that a restaurant in Tsuen Wan had been prosecuted for allowing dogs onto its premises without the required permit, in the first such legal action since the scheme started.
Leona Li, who owns a five-year-old male bichon frise, described difficulties booking restaurants on the approved list. She wanted to celebrate a family member’s birthday on the first day of the scheme and contacted Jade Garden in Yuen Long.