With Halloween approaching, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (October 18) reminded members of the public who plan to bring their dogs along when dining out to confirm in advance whether the restaurant concerned is permitted to admit dogs and to comply with the relevant law and regulations. At present, over 990 restaurants hold permits allowing dogs to enter. Persons-in-charge of these restaurants must ensure that their premises comply with the relevant licensing conditions and statutory requirements, step up staff supervision and remind customers bringing dogs of the relevant requirements, so as to safeguard public safety and hygiene.
      
     A spokesman for the FEHD stressed that both restaurant operators and dog owners have the responsibility to comply with the relevant regulations. Restaurants without permission must observe the law and must not allow customers to bring dogs onto their premises. Members of the public who bring dogs into non-permitted restaurants also commit an offence. The department will continue to conduct risk-based inspections and take enforcement action against any irregularities.
      
     The spokesman added that, since the measure of allowing dogs to enter permitted restaurants was implemented on July 9, the FEHD has assisted the trade and members of the public in complying with the relevant requirements through ongoing inspections, publicity and education. Following the initial one-month adaptation period, the department has adopted a pragmatic and flexible enforcement strategy, conducting risk-based inspections to strike an appropriate balance between promoting pet inclusivity and safeguarding food safety and public hygiene.
      
     Regarding restaurants which unlawfully allow dogs to enter, the FEHD has, to date, initiated 20 prosecutions against offending restaurants and seven prosecutions against persons who unlawfully brought dogs into such restaurants. In addition, the FEHD has taken stringent enforcement action against serious breaches committed by customers bringing dogs to permitted restaurants, including four prosecutions for failing to keep dogs securely on a leash.
      
     The spokesman reiterated that permitted restaurants must strictly comply with the law and licensing conditions. These include prohibiting open-flame cooking at dining tables; refusing entry of fighting dogs or known dangerous dogs; and forbidding dogs access to food rooms. At all times while in a restaurant, a dog must be securely held by an adult on a leash not exceeding 1.5 metres in length, or securely tethered to a fixture. Dog owners must also ensure that their dogs are properly controlled at all times. The FEHD will take decisive enforcement action against any violations.
      
     The FEHD again appealed to restaurants and customers to comply with the law and the relevant requirements, fulfil their respective responsibilities and help maintain a pleasant dining environment and public hygiene, thereby promoting pet inclusivity. Members of the public may visit the FEHD's dedicated webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/licensing/dog_restaurants/dog_restaurants_list.html) for relevant information and the full list of permitted restaurants.

Ends/Sunday, October 18, 2026
Issued at HKT 14:00

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