Release: Government protects people from pup friendly pubs

Release: Government protects people from pup friendly pubs

The Australian Taxpayers’ Alliance, the nation’s largest grassroots advocacy group representing taxpayers, today condemned the Maribyrnong City Council for forcing Bar Josephine to end its dog-friendly policy and asked for a reassessment of federal food safety regulations which attack businesses that are accepting of all consumers, even the four-legged kind.

“Bar Josephine was once a well known haunt for dogs and their owners, but the Maribyrnong City Council has forced them to bar their doors against canines. This policy hurts not only dogs and their owners who would like to enjoy a night out, but the community in general,” says ATA Communications Manager, Emilie Dye.” 

“The law allows businesses to have dog-friendly outdoor seating areas, but unfortunately for Bar Josephine customers must pass through the indoor area to reach the outdoor seating area. Businesses do not need more red tape, especially when it comes to something as good as a dog.

“The government needs to realize adults have an ability to assess risk and they don’t need to be bubble wrapped against the grave dangers of puppy friendly pubs.

“A minority of the population are dog-haters (and it is questionable whether these people are even human) and a majority of businesses do not allow dogs. Meanwhile the government has decided to attack one of very few dog friendly venues. Dog friendly venues benefit the community by giving both dog owners and the dogless a place to go.

“While keeping animals out of a restaurant kitchen may be a good idea, fining a bar for letting dogs pass through is overkill. Next they will regulate which rooms your dog is allowed to enter in your home.

“Nanny state regulations have gone way too far. The government should not be allowed to discriminate against people based on their choice of best friend. Let people have a beer with their dogs.”