Archer was kicked out of his own pub. Now the push to allow pets inside venues is going national

A change to rules that ban dogs from indoor areas of cafes and pubs will be put on the national agenda, amid an outcry about the eviction of a border collie named Archer from the brewery that bears his name.

Several venues have fallen foul of Australia-wide food safety rules which ban dogs from indoor areas, although ministerial intervention this month allowed an 18-year-old cat to live out her days at a country pub.

After a single complaint to Brisbane City Council in October 2023, and an investigation by council officers, eponymous border collie Archer was banned from the formerly dog-friendly pub, Archer Brewing at Wilston in Brisbane’s inner-north, along with customers’ pooches.

Owners of Archer Brewing, Stuart and Lucy Martin, with Archer.

Under the Australian Food Standards Code, and state government legislation enforced by councils, businesses can choose to allow dogs in outdoor dining areas, such as footpath dining or an open beer garden with street access.

But dogs are not permitted in indoor dining areas or kitchens, and Archer Brewing – situated in a lofty aircraft hangar-style building and popular with locals walking their dogs – did not have a suitable outdoor area to comply with the rules.

Co-owner Lucy Martin said that after posting the news about the ban on social media, she watched as potential patrons arrived with their dogs and were turned away.

Brisbane’s Archer Brewing wants businesses to be allowed to choose whether they permit dogs inside more parts of their venue.

“It’s really frustrating,” she said. “We don’t want to say that dogs should be allowed everywhere, we just want it to be our choice, as a business owner.

“You’re not going to have a dog in the middle of your white tablecloth fine dining on a Saturday night.”

Pet ownership surged during the pandemic, and the issue continues to surface. Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore wrote to the NSW government in April asking for change, arguing the law had not kept pace with community expectations.

Last year, the City of Yarra in Melbourne letter-dropped pubs to warn dogs should not be near areas where food was prepared, served or eaten, while Brisbane dog-friendly cafe Little Genovese was forced to enforce the rules in July after a complaint.

Archer the dog, from Archer Brewing, before the complaint was investigated by Brisbane City Council.

Following Archer Brewing’s campaign, Queensland’s dog-loving Health Minister Shannon Fentiman told this masthead she would raise the issue for discussion on a national level.

“Currently, there are national food safety laws that allow dogs to be in outdoor dining areas, and we know it makes trips to your favourite restaurant or bar even better,” she said.

“I believe we need more flexibility when it comes to welcoming our furry friends indoors, especially for dogs like Archer.

“That’s why I have requested that this issue be included on the agenda at the next Food Ministers’ Meeting in November.”

While Archer Brewing has waged a dogged battle for most of 2024, Fentiman earlier this month intervened to allow 18-year-old cat Precious to remain at a central Queensland pub.

Animals like cats are not allowed at venues under the rules that allow dogs.

Precious was facing eviction from the Koumala Hotel, near Mackay, after a complaint about a breach of food safety rules. It sparked a petition that quickly reached more than 7000 signatures. (Koumala has just 772 residents.)

“I’ve spoken to the mayor. Both Queensland Health and the council agree, as long as Precious isn’t in the kitchen where the food is being prepared, there’s no reason she can’t stay at her home,” Fentiman said.

While the Mackay City Council will not take enforcement action against Precious, it is not a formal exemption.

Archer’s case also prompted a petition to the local council. Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner responded by writing to federal Health Minister Mark Butler in July, asking for a review of the code, for businesses that maintained a high standard of food safety and personal hygiene.

Federal Health and Aged Care Department acting assistant secretary Tracey Andrews replied on September 11, the day after a media inquiry from this masthead, saying any request to change the code would require an application to be submitted to Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) for assessment.

Brisbane City Standards chair Councillor Sarah Hutton said the case was an example of other levels of government setting the rules but expecting councils to enforce them.

“Brisbane residents are rightly asking whether these rules should be reviewed to allow cafes and restaurants to welcome dogs just like they do around the globe,” she said.

“With common-sense federal and state laws, council could work with local businesses to help them find areas at their venues where dogs can go.”

The Food Ministers’ Meeting will take place after the Queensland election in October, which polls suggest could lead to a change in government.

The LNP opposition was contacted for comment.