A municipal directive prohibiting pets from food premises is now being circulated and enforced in Greyton—and it feels both ridiculous and rather sad.
The directive refers to Regulation 638 of 22 June 2018, issued under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act of 1972. It requires the person responsible for a food premises to ensure that no animal is kept or permitted anywhere food is handled or served. Overberg District Municipality’s Environmental Health Practitioners are responsible for enforcing it, and establishments that do not comply may face fines.
This means it is not a decision being made by individual cafés and restaurants—they are being instructed to comply.
Apparently, a well-behaved dog may no longer rest quietly at its owner’s feet on a café stoep after a village stroll. Birds and rodents are out too (yes, we have see the odd chicken and pet rat out on the town!). Fish, molluscs and crustaceans, however, may be kept alive until they are prepared for consumption. Guide and service dogs are the only companion-animal exception.
Thankfully for Greyton, horses seem exempt!
What about bacteria laden sweaty trainers and muddy bicycles? What next!
Greyton’s dog-friendly stoeps are part of the warmth, character and easy village life we know and love. Responsible owners and well-behaved dogs have shared these spaces happily for years.
This may be the regulation—but it is not the Greyton we know and love. Surely there is room for common sense, responsible ownership and perhaps a water bowl at the table?
