Brisbane cafe shuts out dogs after complaint triggers council action

A dog-friendly cafe has been forced to close its doors to the four-legged friends after a complaint to Brisbane City Council.

A Brisbane cafe has informed customers their four legged friends are no longer welcome inside. Photo: supplied

A dog-friendly cafe has been forced to close its doors to the four-legged friends after a complaint to Brisbane City Council.

Little Genovese at Coorparoo posted online that customers’ canines were no longer welcome inside.

“We love you very much, but due to someone making a stupid complaint, sadly we can’t have you inside,” the post said.

“Therefore we need you to be good and sit out the front or right out the back while your hooman orders their coffee.

“We know this is ruff and we are all extremely sad, but we still want you to come and visit us every day.

“Thank you for understanding.”

Coorparoo cafe in Brisbane has told owners

Cafe owner Kylie Loch believed the complaint was made about dogs being in areas where food was handled.

Ms Loch said it was not just her cafe that had been issued with a notice from council.

“Brisbane City Council are only doing their job... the council did an inspection and somebody has made a complaint for I think the whole area; I’m not the only cafe being hit,” Ms Loch said.

Ms Loch said it was disappointing for customers wanting to bring their dog into the cafe, and called for a change to the Food Standards Code.

Under the code, animals are not allowed in areas where food is handled or served. The only loophole is that a business can allow dogs in outdoor dining areas.

“This is not their fault there is a food standard that dogs can’t be inside an enclosed area,” Ms Loch said.

“I think as a country we need to change the rules as a lot of people that come in with their dogs are their only companions.

Coorparoo cafe in Brisbane has told owners

“Councils aren’t making the rules, they are just enforcing them.

“I think we as businesses people know how to manage our business, and it’s disappointing and we have put procedures in place so people can keep coming in with their dogs.”

Ms Loch has since written in white pen on the window of her cafe of the changes to dogs entering the venue, and has since been posted online gaining over 100 comments.

In a comment to the post Karen Vethaa said “I just don’t get it… If you don’t like it, don’t go there, simple.”

Another commenter Andrew Brushy Field said “Not everyone likes dogs. Nothing worse when you’re trying to have breakfast and there’s a dog at your feet.”

The States food Act 2006 is based on the national Food Standards Code, which is administered by local councils.

The Food Act 2006 adopts the Australian New Zealand Food Standards Code, Standard 3.2.2 of the Food Standard Code sets out requirements for animals and pest in food premises.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has blasted the state and federal laws after a Coorparoo cafe had to ban dogs from entering.

“This is another example of other levels of government setting the rules, but expecting councils to enforce them,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Brisbane residents are rightly asking whether these rules should be reviewed to allow cafés and restaurants to welcome dogs just like they do across the globe.

“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.”

Dogs are allowed to stay in hotels and travel on CityCats but State and Federal food laws restrict where animals can go within food businesses.

Originally published as Brisbane cafe shuts out dogs after complaint triggers council action