Ruff justice as Wetherspoons bans dogs from pubs

The pub chain, which has sites across the Black Country and Staffordshire, has said no dogs except guide dogs will be allowed into its branches from September 10.

The action comes after staff complained about cleaning up dog mess and raised issues with hygiene and the animals frightening children.

Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “Even well behaved dogs can be unpredictable, every dog owner thinks their dog is perfect.

“We welcome a lot of children and families at our restaurants. Younger children in particular can be unpredictable around dogs and many are scared of dogs.

“We serve a lot of food and, unfortunately, not all owners are diligent over cleaning up dog mess.”

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But dog owners have since hit out at the company’s decision to ban their pets from its pubs.

Lewis Dykes, 27, from Chester, was visiting Wetherspoon’s The Moon Under Water, in Wolverhampton, with his dog Hugo – a six-month old male Dogue De Bordeaux – when he heard the news.

He said: “I don’t believe in the ban. I drink in a pub in Chester where dogs eat free on a Sunday and they do them a Sunday dinner.

“I think they should just put a rule in place, if the dog is a nuisance dog then it should not be allowed in.”

Another customer of the pub said if people wanted to bring dogs in they should be able to do so freely.

Carol Henley, 71, from Dudley, said: “My son has two Bulldogs. He lives in Birmingham and they can take their dogs in nearly every pub they go to.

“If that is what you want to do then they should let you really. It would not bother me if dogs came and sat by me in the pub.”

The only exception to the ban will be assistance dogs such as guide dogs, a decision customers agree with.

Pat Pooler, 73, from Dudley, said: “For the disabled and for the blind you have got to give privileges.”

Notices about the ban have been put up in some branches already informing customers there will no longer be exceptions to its no-dog policy, which already exists.

The pub group has been lenient with dog owners in recent years but will now be strictly enforcing its policy of not allowing dogs in its pubs, including all outside areas.

The policy was introduced in 1979.