THE City of Fremantle has vowed to use “common sense” in implementing the so-called “dog ban” legislation in alfresco areas.
Environmental health coordinator Matthew Piggott said a complete ban of dogs from Fremantle’s alfresco dining areas was not in the best interests of the community.
“The City of Fremantle will continue to take a common sense, risk-based approach to dealing with complaints about dogs in alfresco areas,” he said.
“The consensus of opinion among environmental health managers within the metropolitan region is that there’s scope within the Food Act legislation to deal with this issue based on risk.”
Mr Piggott said he did not believe that a dog sitting quietly under a table on a public footpath had a negative impact on human health.
“It is certainly appropriate to investigate complaints and take action if dogs are eating off plates or going to the toilet in alfresco dining areas – that is unacceptable from a public health perspective,” he said.
Mr Piggott said that since the introduction of alfresco dining in the 1980s, the City had allowed responsible owners to sit in outdoor areas with their dogs.
He said the council’s environmental health officers would continue to investigate complaints based on their merits.
Local resident Phillip Veale began the protest against the dog ban and said the City’s decision was a step in the right direction but more needed to be done.
“It’s a WA issue, not just Fremantle. We need all the councils to agree with that decision (not to ban dogs from alfresco areas),” he said.
Mr Veale has organised a petition against the dog ban, which can be signed in more than 35 shops and cafés in Fremantle including the Down South Café.