Dogs, and their owners, have had their day thanks to the intervention of Albert Jacob.

After calls to his office from disgruntled dog owners  who could no longer enjoy a coffee with their pets at the Burns Beach Cafe Albert decided to investigate.

A visit to the cafe revealed  the City of Joondalup had banned service to customers with dogs citing uniform Australian health regulations.

Inquiries found that similar bans had been placed by other WA councils.

Albert took his grievance to State Parliament where he raised the issue with Health Minister Kim Hames.

He told Parliament many people in the northern suburbs had enjoyed walking their dogs on paths by the beaches and then having a coffee.

Local governments should have the discretion to make decisions based on common sense and public risk.
 
Dr Hames sympathised and has issued a statement of advice to at WA councils that they are not to enforce the dogs ban unless they can show a clear hygiene risk.

“This was an example of bureaucracy gone mad and I am grateful to the Health Minister for taking up the issue,” Albert said.

Burns Beach Cafe owner Irene White told the local Weekender newspaper she was ecstatic that the ban had been overturned.

“We have so many people who like to walk their dogs and then stop for coffees,” she said.

“We just want to thank all our customers for their support and also Albert Jacob for his help.”