Canines and cuisine: Are dogs in restaurants to your taste?

Indie columnist Teddy the Pug’s most recent column on the Wood Grill restaurant in Bishop’s Stortford becoming dog-friendly has prompted a few letters from readers on the subject of dogs in restaurants...

“I see that the Wood Grill restaurant in Bishop’s Stortford is now dog-friendly (“Wood Grill’s pawsome decision to become a dog-friendly restaurant”, Stortford Indie, July 31).

“I know it’s between 12pm and 6pm only, but it has now put me off going there for lunch.

“Why do us non-dog owners and people who don’t like dogs have to put up with them in so many of our shops, restaurants, cafés and pubs?”

Sue Collins, Manston Drive, Bishop’s Stortford

“I’m on the same side as Sue Collins (“Get dogs off my menu”, Stortford Indie, Aug 7) on the subject of Wood Grill’s decision to “welcome” dogs into their restaurant.

“It’s a pity because I like the place and have introduced several friends to it, but we won’t be going there again.

“Why would we want to eat our food in the same place as strange dogs shedding their hairs and possibly fleas around us?

“And what about people who are allergic to dogs’ hair? They won’t able to eat there now as they will risk an asthma attack.

“It seems very odd that the council food inspectors allow this. It used to be the case that if a restaurant had an outside eating area they would allow dogs there, but never inside.

“How odd and unfair to prioritise dogs over humans; it’s unhygienic, inconsiderate and surely not a good business proposition.

“No dog I’ve ever had has any money to spend, we have – but we’ll be spending it elsewhere in future. Do think again, Wood Grill.”

Angela Barton, Pryor’s Close, Bishop’s Stortford

“I am surprised that none of my friends has contacted you in response to Sue Collins’ plea (“Get dogs off my menu”, Stortford Indie, Aug 7) to ban us from the Wood Grill restaurant.

“A number of my best friends are dogs that guide, assist, support and hear for their owners, and they all are proud to quietly and calmly help their humans frequent shops and restaurants which they otherwise could not enter.

“As for Angela Barton’s comments (“Dogs and dining do not go well together”, Stortford Indie, Aug 14) about ‘strange dogs’, well, I have seen some pretty strange humans in restaurants, too, without wanting to run away and, judging from the smiles I get, most people are happy to see me.

“Restaurant owners are of course free to ask me to leave (just like humans) should I misbehave or upset other diners.

“I am happy to note that both writers are going to exercise their choice and seek some of the many restaurants which do not allow dogs, and I thank them for drawing my attention to the welcome I will receive in the Wood Grill.

“I will be gently nudging my owners through its doors shortly – and you should see how much they eat!”

Herby (Richard Barrett), Willow Close, Bishop’s Stortford