Dog owners are barking mad over a cafe ban in a popular tourist town after the local council received just one complaint.
Cafe Owner Forced to Comply
Kellie Hunter opened Same But Different Cafe in Hahndorf, in the Adelaide Hills, three-and-a-half years ago to offer an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere for everyone. This included four-legged furry friends, who were welcomed indoors, particularly in the cooler months. An issue had never been raised until May this year when Mount Barker District Council received a complaint from the public and informed the cafe that dogs were not allowed inside due to public health risks.
Ms Hunter continued allowing dogs but has now reluctantly complied after she received an official warning and was threatened with a $2,500 fine if it happened again. 'Being a small business owner, it was something I could not afford,' she told Daily Mail on Tuesday. 'I was mortified and angry when I first found out. Nothing has ever been said at the yearly health inspections, where we always get five stars. I understand the hygiene issue, but the kitchen is downstairs, far away from where dogs are allowed indoors.'
Impact on Business
With winter just days away, the ban has already impacted the cafe because customers cannot escape the cold and bring their dogs inside. 'This is because of one person complaining in the three-and-a-half years we have been open,' a handwritten sign outside the cafe reads. 'I'm fighting this and will exhaust all avenues to get it back to having our furry friends inside.'
The community has rallied around Ms Hunter's fight to get the ban overturned. 'This change would not only affect our business but also disappoint countless pet owners and their beloved companions,' a petition, signed by almost 3,000 supporters, states. 'We stand to lose a vital part of what makes our cafe distinct and beloved by so many. Together, we can persuade local authorities to recognise the importance of pet-friendly cafes in promoting tourism, enhancing social connections, and supporting local businesses.'
Council's Position
While Mount Barker Council acknowledged the popularity of dog-friendly cafes, environmental health officers are required to enforce national food safety laws. Planning and community general manager Natalie Armstrong confirmed the issue with the cafe had not previously been raised with the council or identified during earlier inspections. 'While council acknowledges the cafe's strong community support and understands the challenges faced by small businesses, council does not have the authority to exempt individual businesses from complying with national food safety standards,' she told Daily Mail in a statement. 'The regulation of animals in food premises is not a council policy specific to the Mount Barker district, but a requirement under national food safety legislation designed to ensure food businesses operate in a way that protects public health and food safety for all patrons.'
Ms Hunter has vowed to keep fighting. 'It makes no sense. We're going backwards, compared to other countries, where dogs can go into pubs and cafes with their owners,' she told Daily Mail. 'They need to look at the massive impact it has had on people.'
