Editorial: Doggone it, this is a tough one

Should dogs be welcome at cafe's?

The issue of whether dog owners should be allowed to take their best friend to cafes and restaurants has sparked quite the debate.

It began with a Text to the Editor in late December and became such an issue that we wrote a story about it.

People are either firmly in favour or totally against the idea of dogs accompanying their humans to a cafe. The obvious exception to this debate are seeing-eye dogs.

There appears to be two main issues that those opposed to the idea have - that it is unhygienic and that dogs bother other patrons.

However, those in favour believe their dogs are the most well-behaved in town.

It is probably reasonable for the average cafe-goer to expect dogs not be allowed inside cafes. Many establishments are quite small and it could get crowded very quickly.

However, outside is a different story. It probably boils down to the temperament and personality of the dog.

If you have a dog that snaps at people's ankles as they carry their flat white to a table, it is probably not a good idea to bring him or her along.

Also, if like me, you have a very friendly dog who likes to greet people, that could be equally as annoying. Most people go to cafes to catch up with mates or to have some quiet time.

However, a well-behaved dog sleeping in a corner of an outdoor cafe is probably not going to disturb anyone.

As usual, with these types of debates it is all about taking the common-sense approach.