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To: Overberg District Municipality |
Copied to: Theewaterskloof Municipality |
OUR PETITION
We, the undersigned residents, business owners and visitors, respectfully call on the relevant municipal authorities to reconsider a blanket prohibition on dogs in restaurant outdoor areas in Greyton and to establish a lawful, practical exemption or permit system for designated dog-friendly outdoor dining areas.
Greyton has long been recognised as a welcoming, walkable and exceptionally dog-friendly town. Responsible owners commonly take their dogs with them on leads, and many restaurants have outdoor areas that have historically accommodated patrons with dogs. This forms part of Greyton's character, visitor appeal and local hospitality economy.
WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR
· Suspend blanket enforcement in outdoor dining areas while a formal consultation and exemption framework is considered, where legally permissible.
· Use the exemption process in Regulation 14 of the national food-premises hygiene regulations to assess suitable establishments and designated outdoor areas individually.
· Develop and publish clear, proportionate conditions under which restaurants may choose to operate a dog-friendly outdoor area.
· Consult Greyton residents, restaurant owners, tourism representatives, animal-welfare organisations and environmental health practitioners before adopting a final policy.
A RESPONSIBLE SOLUTION
We support sensible health, hygiene and safety safeguards. A dog-friendly outdoor area could be approved subject to conditions such as:
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✓ Dogs remain on a lead and under an adult's control at all times. |
✓ Dogs enter the outdoor area directly and do not pass through indoor food-handling areas. |
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✓ Dogs remain on the ground and off chairs, benches and tables. |
✓ No dog may contact food, reusable crockery, cutlery or food-service equipment. |
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✓ Dog water is supplied only in owner-provided or dedicated/single-use containers. |
✓ Waste is removed immediately and affected surfaces are cleaned and disinfected. |
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✓ Aggressive, disruptive, excessively barking or uncontrolled dogs must leave. |
✓ Restaurants retain the choice whether to participate and may set stricter house rules. |
WHY THIS APPROACH IS LAWFUL AND WORKABLE
Regulation R638 of 22 June 2018 generally prohibits animals in an area where food is handled. Regulation 14 nevertheless permits the person in charge of food premises to apply to the local authority for an exemption. Following an inspector's report, an exemption may be granted where the requirement is unreasonable in the particular case and no health hazard will result. The Garden Route District Municipality has already adopted a controlled outdoor-dining policy using this mechanism.
We therefore request a balanced, evidence-based solution that protects public health, preserves Greyton's dog-friendly identity, supports local businesses and respects other patrons through clearly designated areas.