No hotpot: Hong Kong dog-friendly restaurants face menu and layout limits
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department says officers will patrol licensed premises every day in first month after issuing permits
Hong Kong restaurants applying for a licence that allows dogs will have to remove any hotpot from their menus and change their layout to comply with new regulations aimed at ensuring food and pet safety.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) also said on Monday that officers would patrol the premises every day in the first month to inspect and understand their operations, provide advice and ensure compliance with permit conditions.
The department held the first in a series of public briefings for operators before applications open on May 18, explaining rules that will take effect in mid-July.
In the first phase, applications will be capped at 1,000 restaurants. If the number exceeds the quota, places will be allocated by ballot.
Restaurants larger 215 square feet (20 square metres) can apply, but hotpot, teppanyaki and barbecue restaurants, including Korean-style establishments, are not eligible for safety reasons.
Under the policy, dogs must be kept on leads no longer than 1.5 metres (4.9 feet) and remain under the control of an adult. Pets must also be kept at least 1.5 metres away from food preparation areas, including bar counters and salad bars.