Sunshine Coast Hinterland Times

MALENY seems to be a town of dog-lovers and one can’t walk far on the main street before
spotting a dog out for a meander with its owner.

But try having a coffee with your dog in tow and you will soon run into difficulties. That’s because under existing Queensland laws, dogs (other than guide dogs) are not allowed anywhere near the food areas of cafes and restaurants in this state.

Nor are dogs allowed to run off the leash anywhere in Maleny with the exception of the showgrounds.

That might seem an odd state of affairs in a town which appears to have more than its fair share of canines But a local organisation with the cute name of Pups in Paradise is trying to change all that, and has been collecting names and addresses on petition forms for some time now. This petition will be presented to the state government in October, and they hope to change the law to expand the areas where dogs can be exercised off-leash, right across the Sunshine Coast.

Plans are also afoot to convince the government that dogs should be allowed in alfresco areas of cafes and restaurants with their owners, as long as the cafe owner is happy with this.

Well over 500 signatures have been collected so far, just in Maleny, Montville and Mapleton, and the process is ongoing. Outlets that have the petitions are reporting enormous interest in, and support for, the move towards easing restrictions on dogs.

Petitions are available to be signed at Maudy’s, The Farm Barn, Monicas, The Swiss Bakery and the two vet surgeries among others in Maleny; at Poets Cafe and Soothe Hairdressing in Montville; and at Criollo’s Chocolaterie and the Daily Grind cafe in Mapleton.

So if you want a coffee with your dog, whether it’s a Great Dane or a Maltese Terrier, then get in on the act and support Pups in Paradise!

Pups in Paradise has a website: pupsinparadise.com.au, where you may sign the petition online. Phone enquiries can be directed to either Keri Gazzard on 0408 007 070 or Suzanne Wright on 5474 8767.

Helen Evans