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There is no specific law which bans dogs from pubs. I can understand a potential food hygiene issue but then the dogs are not (generally) in the area where food is prepared.  Official Guidance indicates that dogs should not be in food preparation areas. If the pub in question had, say, a carvery or salad bar in the pub bar then the dog could reasonably not be allowed in that area as food is being prepared. However, under the terms of the Disability Discrimination Act service providers (which includes pubs/restaurants) are required to ensure that there are no physical barriers stopping or making it unreasonably difficult for guide dog owners, and other blind and partially sighted customers, to use their services. So, if you can enter with a guide dog, it’s still just a dog but one that had special training. Probably in washing their hands etc.  

So, if you are preparing food in the seating area, thus banning dogs, you may be breaching the disability discrimination act. You can have the carvery area with a barrier to prevent dogs going into that area and that would be how you comply with the DDA. One chap has been awarded £500 compensation for being banned from a restaurant with his guide dog.

Health and Safety is often used as an excuse by folk who cannot think of any sensible reason for not doing something or banning something. In view of the raft of health and safety legislation it is usually very difficult for anyone to challenge the claim.

Next time you are given that as an excuse rather than an honest answer just ask "Well is there somewhere I can put my guide dog?"

Phil

I think it should be remembered is that an equal if not greater number of customers who don't have dogs will considered it unhygienic to have them in a restaurant however small the real risk is and of course restaurant/pub management will take this into account when making their rules of who or what they accept into their establishment. The slight anomaly is that even the people that don't want dogs in restaurants/pubs are perfectly happy to accept Guide Dogs! The trouble with explanations is that a pub could just say that their policy is not to allow dogs but that could lead to discussions! Where as saying its down to health and safety is a good catchall phrase whether its justified or not!

David

It takes 8 westies to lay a table!!!! Overstaffed if you ask me

Phil

I personally wouldn't take my two inside - reason being they are big dogs and would take up a lot of room, some people dislike the breed also.  Not everyone wants to eat a steak with a German Shepherd sat next to them!

I do take them in the beer garden though, plenty of space.

Quote: Originally posted by chelsea girl on 08/7/2012

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I personally wouldn't take my two inside - reason being they are big dogs and would take up a lot of room, some people dislike the breed also.  Not everyone wants to eat a steak with a German Shepherd sat next to them!

I do take them in the beer garden though, plenty of space.

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