LOCKOUT laws have been extended to dog-friendly pubs in the inner west and lovers of furry friends are fighting back.

Dog-loving drinkers are bemoaning the heavy-handedness of the Inner West Council as it threatens fines against publicans who allow pooches in their pubs.

Residents have started a petition aimed at changing the rules around pooches in pubs in a move designed to reverse further ‘nanny state’ regulation.

The petition on change.org claims council rangers have now said that for every dog found in a pub there will be a fine of $600.

media_camera Dog lovers want to be able to take their furry friends to the pub.

Balmain’s London Hotel owner William Stephens said dogs had been allowed in his pub since he took it over in 1989, when he lived on the premises with his own dog.

“It’s always been known as a dog-friendly pub and we’ve always allowed them inside and we have never had any problems.”

Mr Stephen said council rangers had recently done a blitz on pubs on the peninsula threatening fines if dogs were found on the premises.

“Apparently, a beverage is classified as food, too, so dogs are not allowed inside at all.”

He said many of his customers were unhappy and felt as though it was an extension of the ‘nanny state’ and more regulation of peoples lives.

“One customer said it was like ‘lockout laws for dogs’.”

An Inner West Council spokeswoman said the State Government’s Food Act and the Food Standards Code states that companion animals (other than assistance dogs) are not allowed into an internal area of any food premises – cafe, restaurant or pub.

“This isn’t council legislation, it is state law.”

media_camera Dogs are no longer allowed in internal areas of pubs on the Balmain peninsula.

She said dogs were still allowed in outdoor areas.

The petition says Balmain and Rozelle has selected pubs that allow dogs to enter with their owners to enjoy a drink, lunch or dinner.

“(It) has a special atmosphere created by the many dogs and their owners.”

“This has become a signature for this area where everyone whether they have a dog or not interacts creating a relaxed and friendly village.

“There is no evidence that having a dog in a pub has any effect on the quality of your experience or that dogs cause any health issues by being there.

“Europe and the UK are proof of this,” the petition says.

It calls on customers to support pubs and affected dog owners to restore the status quo so Balmain and Rozelle pubs, which allow dogs to enter, can return to that status again, “always keeping in mind that everyone’s right to be safe is maintained.”

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