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News > News > Dog owners can still coffee with their “best friend” in Fremantle’s alfresco areas
Dog owners can still coffee with their 'best friend' in Fremantle's alfresco areas
15 Dec 2009
A COMPLETE ban of dogs from Fremantle’s alfresco dining areas is not in the best interests of the community according to City of Fremantle Environmental Health Coordinator Matthew Piggott.
“The City of Fremantle will continue to take a commonsense, risk-based approach to dealing with complaints about dogs in alfresco areas,” Mr Piggott said.
He said that dogs would not be banned from alfresco areas in the port city.
“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,” he said.
“I do not believe that a dog sitting quietly under a table on a public footpath has 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.”
Since the introduction of alfresco dining in the 1980s, the City of Fremantle has allowed responsible owners to sit in outdoor areas with their dogs.
The Council’s environmental health officers will continue to investigate complaints based on their merits.
For more details, phone Media and Public Relations Officer Merryn McLean on 9432 9827 or 0405 307 141 or email merrynm@fremantle.wa.gov.au
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