Hongkongers’ new pet peeve over dogs at diners sparks calls for tougher vetting

Viral clips showing dogs licking plates and sitting on tables and chairs have drawn widespread criticism Hong Kong’s introduction of pet-friendly dining in designated restaurants has drawn significant public criticism, leading some lawmakers to call for tighter vetting of licences. Since the scheme began on July 9, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has received about 20 complaints. The department earlier said most complaints involved minor issues such as leash length and seating arrangements. However, viral clips showing dogs licking plates and sitting on tables and chairs have drawn widespread criticism. On Monday, a Chinese restaurant in Kai Tak that holds a pet-friendly permit received a warning letter after the department found that food was repeatedly cooked or heated on the dining table over three days. In response, catering sector lawmaker Jonathan Leung Chun said the initial “chaos” would only happen once as the industry settled in.

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