Some city employees — including Hamilton's mayor — bring their pet dogs to work. Now a group of city councillors say it's time to put an end to that.

Dogs and cats at work can aggravate allergies, frighten coworkers and distract employees who have to stop work to take them outside to piddle, said members of city council's audit, finance and administration committee.

Staff recommended a policy allowing people to bring dogs and cats to work. But the committee rejected that 6-2 on Thursday, and will instead ban the practice altogether.

"I go home and I hug my dog … but that's where the dog should be," said Brad Clark, Ward 9 (upper Stoney Creek) councillor.

"He shouldn't be waiting for me in my office and my assistant taking him out for bathroom breaks — which would be, in my opinion, the most expensive dog walker system in the world."

That would be similar to what's already happening. Mayor Fred Eisenberger often brings his dog Dash to work, and the dog can be seen lounging behind a desk when people enter the mayor's office.

In fact, pets have been coming to some city workplaces since at least 2003, said the staff report from Lora Fontana, executive director of human resources. In that time, the report says, "there have been very few issues reported."

A staff report says dogs at work improve employee mental health and morale. (Credit: iStock/Getty Images)

In February 2017, the city also launched a "bring your dog to work" pilot project at the Lister Block as a "workplace wellness initiative," Fontana said.

Staff developed rules and responsibilities for people who brought their dogs to work. Everyone on the work team had to agree to allow the animal.

Feedback from dog owners and non-dog owners, the report says, "has been overwhelmingly positive." Fontana said more private corporations are also letting people bring their pets to work.

But Clark said council should have known about the Lister Block program. Allowing pets is unfair to the public who visit the buildings, he said. It's also unfair to workers who are afraid of dogs.

Clear liability issues

Imagine a public works employee, he said, whose boss brings a Rottweiler to work. "How do I address that without recrimination from my boss or bullying from my coworkers (who say) I'm a wimp for being afraid of a dog?"

"The onus is still on the person who has the fear to speak up," he said. And there are "clear liability issues."

The ban will exclude service dogs and people who work in animal services and animal control, or with police canine units.

City council still has to ratify this Nov. 27.

Some on social media, meanwhile, remarked on the debate happening the day after the public learned 24 billion litres of sewage and runoff leaked into Chedoke Creek over four years because someone left a gate open.

I guess there's no pressing business for the day. IE Secret waste water report. 🙄 <a href="https://t.co/pFVeMMPQkL">https://t.co/pFVeMMPQkL</a> —@Ian_Hamilton01

Cool cool cool. Because there’s nothing else more important to deal with in our city right now. 🤦‍♀️ —@lifeasajourney