Wetherspoons to ban dogs from its 1,000 pubs

Dog owners will be banned from bringing their four-legged friends into Wheterspoons’ almost 1,000 pubs from Monday.

The country’s biggest pub chain will be turning away people who are trying to bring their dogs in for a pint or a meal because ‘even well-behaved ones can be unpredictable’

While Wetherspoons has had the policy since 1979, it has not been fully enforced until now.

A young bulldog lays on the floor exhausted after playing
Wetherspoons staff will turn away customers trying to bring their down in (Picture: Getty Images)
UNITED KINGDOM - SEPTEMBER 09: The J.D. Wetherspoon logo is displayed on a glass door at a pub in Hornchurch, U.K., on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009. Britain's branded pub chains from Wetherspoons to Marston's are expanding during the U.K.'s worst recession since World War II, offering bargain beers and food as individual pubs go out of business. (Photo by Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The company said ‘after much consultation’ it would now be enforcing a policy already in place for not allowing dogs in pubs (Picture: Getty Images)

The popular chain has announced it would be ‘strictly enforcing’ the nationwide ban on canines from 10 September.

File photo dated 07/12/17 of Boris Johnson, who has the potential to be a "great prime minister", former Trump aide Steve Bannon has said. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Sunday August 12, 2018. The US right-winger, who masterminded Donald Trump's 2016 presidential election bid and joined him briefly in the White House as a senior adviser, also praised English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson as a "force of nature". See PA story POLITICS Johnson Bannon. Photo credit should read: Victoria Jones/PA WireBoris Johnson says Theresa May is 'wrapping a suicide vest around Britain' over Brexit

‘Even well behaved dogs can be unpredictable – every dog owner thinks their dog is perfect,’ said Wetherspoons spokesman Eddie Gershon.

Ha continued: ‘We welcome a lot of children and families and younger children in particular can be unpredictable around dogs and many are scared of dogs.

‘We serve a lot of food. Unfortunately not all owners are diligent over cleaning up dog mess.’

Guide dogs and assistance dogs will still be allowed in the chain’s pubs although owners are advised to bring along ‘documentation’ to explain the dog’s ‘purpose’.

Norfolk Terrier having cheeky pint at pub.
Reactions about the ban have been mixed (Picture: Getty Images)
Close-up of a sad Pug Puppy staring at the camera against a blurred background.
In theory, the ban has been in place since 1979, it has not been fully enforced until now (Picture: Getty Images)

Wetherspoons’ policy on dogs says: ‘While we are fond of dogs, we permit only registered assistance dogs inside our pubs and hotels.

‘To avoid any confusion or unnecessary upset, please ensure that your dog is wearing the recognisable leash/collar or harness.

‘It would also be helpful if you could bring along suitable documentation to explain the dog’s purpose.

‘A limited number of pubs do permit dogs on a lead into the garden and/or other external areas. Please check directly with the pub which you are planning to visit.’

The company said ‘after much consultation’ it would now be enforcing a policy already in place for not allowing dogs in pubs.

I’m a big Wetherspoons defender even if their owner is awful but banning dogs is a terrible decision.

— t o m (@td_rules)

The reactions have been mixed with one woman saying: ‘I’ve never understood why people feel the need to drag their poor dogs into pubs.

thumbnail for post ID 7927589Rat leaps from food cupboard in street forced out by infestation

‘Is there any evidence that they like being there? If you’re going to get a dog, accept that it might have different hobbies and interests as you or be prepared to spend time chasing sticks too!’

Another one added: ‘I’ve never once seen a dog in Weatherpersons can’t imagine it was a widespread thing.’

While one man said: ‘Never trust a pub that doesn’t let dogs in.’

One dog owner said: ‘Wetherspoons are banning dogs from their pubs because kids are scared of dogs! Ban kids instead.

‘My dogs don’t run around a pub screaming and behaving badly and annoying the hell out of the other customers.’