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Limited manpower, space constraints and cautious diners have led some restaurants to make the “responsible move” of withdrawing from Hong Kong’s new dog-friendly dining scheme, which has drawn about 20 complaints since its launch, the city’s hygiene chief has said.
Albert Yuen Yuk-kin, director of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, said on Monday that most complaints involved minor issues such as leash length and seating arrangements.
A total of 940 restaurants and eateries began allowing customers to dine with dogs last Thursday after obtaining permits under the scheme, marking the end of a 30-year ban originally introduced to prevent rabies.
But a branch of Cafe 100% in Ma On Shan was among the first to withdraw a day later, citing safety concerns over its limited space and staff handling boiling water.
Yuen acknowledged that “a small number” of approved restaurants had temporarily withdrawn due to operational challenges, including staffing shortages and difficulties in separating dining areas.
He said that even after receiving approval, restaurants were free to withdraw from the scheme or delay implementation if they needed more time to prepare.
“Operational adjustments are normal,” Yuen said. “Both the industry and the public need time to adapt to this shift from long-standing practice.”
He described the temporary withdrawals as responsible, saying they ensured positive dining experiences and safe operational standards, and that authorities would respect operators’ decisions.
The scheme has triggered an online backlash within days of its roll-out, with clips of dogs licking plates and sitting on tables and chairs circulating widely.

Yuen said the department had deployed a dedicated 90-member team that had conducted 2,300 inspections since the launch, including checks on more than 400 unapproved premises.
At approved venues, officers issued verbal warnings under a “counsel first, enforce later” approach during the adaptation period, with most operators quickly rectifying issues after guidance.
But Yuen, a former deputy commissioner of police who was appointed to head the department in June, warned that operators committing serious or repeated breaches affecting hygiene or food safety would face immediate penalties despite the grace period.
Yuen said the government was promoting tripartite cooperation among authorities, the industry and the public to ensure the scheme’s success.
“We will step up publicity and education, and clarify the rules so that everyone can gradually adapt to this shared environment,” he said.
Despite the complaints, most restaurant operators and diners remained undeterred, saying the teething problems of the new scheme would gradually be resolved.
Simon Wong Kit-lung, chairman and CEO of restaurant group LH Group, said staff of the group’s The Match Tokyo branch in Kowloon Bay had not reported any difficulties or misbehaviour by customers since opening its doors to dog owners last Thursday.
“Dog owners must bear the main responsibility, … there will be rule breakers everywhere, whether it’s taking the MTR, driving or going to restaurants. I do not think it is necessary to zoom in [on individual cases],” he said.
“I have told my colleagues that we aim to offer a pet-friendly environment, but we only welcome well-behaved dogs.”
Wong earlier said on social media that the branch would be the group’s only pet-friendly restaurant and there were still plenty of options for those who had concerns about sharing space with animals.
Momo Chan, a finance worker in her twenties who dined at a dog-friendly restaurant in Causeway Bay, echoed Wong’s sentiments, saying customers were not short of choice, and that both animal lovers and non-pet owners could enjoy their meals at licensed eateries as long as the different dining areas were clearly demarcated.

However, she stressed that “restaurants have a responsibility to act as gatekeepers to ensure hygiene standards”, citing news reports of pet owners using cutlery meant for customers to feed their dogs.
Jenny Cheung, 50, who brought her dog to another licensed restaurant in Causeway Bay, said dog owners should exercise greater discipline and consideration to avoid the kind of complaints that had surfaced online.
“It is such a rare and hard-won opportunity for dogs to be allowed inside legally, so we dog owners should be more well-behaved,” she said.
She added that certain regulations, such as requiring dogs to be kept in carriers or prams, were necessary to protect others, especially diners who were afraid of dogs.
The South China Morning Post has reached out to the department, asking for the number of restaurants that have withdrawn from the scheme so far.
Click here for a list of food premises with dog-entry permits.


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Some ‘responsible’ restaurants pull out from dog-friendly scheme amid complaints

Hong Kong’s new dog-friendly dining scheme has drawn about 20 complaints since its launch. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hygiene chief Albert Yuen says most complaints involved minor issues such as leash length and seating arrangements. Photo: Jonathan Wong

A branch of Cafe 100% in Ma On Shan has withdrawn from the newly launched dog licence scheme. Photo: Sam Tsang

A branch of Cafe 100% in Ma On Shan was among the first to withdraw from the scheme. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong’s dog-friendly licence scheme triggers fierce online debate

A branch of Cafe 100% in Kam Ying Shopping Centre has pulled out of the scheme. Photo: Sam Tsang

A branch of Cafe 100% posted a notice outside the premises on Friday saying it had opted out of the policy. Photo: Handout

Lawmaker Chan Hoi-yan has urged restraint amid the debate. Photo: Sun Yeung

Cafe caught in red tape despite winning ballot for dog-friendly venue licence

The owner of Marz Menu has taken to social media to raise awareness of the situation and hopes that authorities can resolve it. Photo: Sam Tsang

Although the venue was one of the 1,000 applicants to be awarded a licence, it suddenly received a call from the FEHD saying the department could not proceed with its application. Photo: Sam Tsang

Cafe owner Edward Tsang says his venue has an area outside for owners to “park” their pets. Photo: Sam Tsang

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Hong Kong hygiene chief says most complaints involved minor issues such as leash length and seating arrangements


Hong Kong hygiene chief says most complaints involved minor issues such as leash length and seating arrangements.


China

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department

Some ‘responsible’ restaurants pull out from dog-friendly scheme amid complaints

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Hong Kong hygiene chief says most complaints involved minor issues such as leash length and seating arrangements

Hong Kong hygiene chief says most complaints involved minor issues such as leash length and seating arrangements