People will be allowed to bring dogs into designated restaurants as soon as the middle of this year as the government moves to amend a regulation that has imposed a blanket ban on the presence of canines in eateries for more than three decades.

The government is considering allowing 500 to 1,000 restaurants in the first phase – which a spokesman said account for up to 5 percent of the total number of eateries across the city – to welcome people and their best friends.

"Known dangerous dogs" and "fighting dogs" are, however, banned.

The administration proposes that all dogs have to be on a leash no longer than 1.5 metres that is held by an adult or tied to a fixture.

Those who fail to comply with the requirements can face a fine of HK$10,000, with an additional daily fine of HK$300 and three-month imprisonment.

Eateries must display designated signage at a "conspicuous place" at the entrance.

Even though operators can provide and sell pre-packaged dog food, they cannot cook or prepare any food for dogs at the restaurants.

They are also barred from allowing dogs to use reusable utensils of the eateries, on dining tables, and cooking or heating food on dining tables at all times to reduce safety risks in the event of losing control over dogs.

For restaurants with a buffet zone, the distance between food heating or reheating and dining areas have to be at least three metres apart, and dogs should be kept out of the zone.

Applications from hotpot and barbecue restaurants will not be accepted, with the spokesman saying the exclusion is aimed at safeguarding customers and workers due to the inherent risks in the high temperatures and open flames used to prepare food in such places.

Operators who are found to have breached the licensing conditions three times within a 12-month period will have their dog-admission permit cancelled and will not be allowed to apply for another permit for a year.

However, the spokesman added, the cancellation will not affect their food business licence.

The government plans to table the proposed amendments before Legco in the first quarter and expects the first batch of permissions be granted by the middle of this year.

It will publish a list of the designated restaurants online.

If the number of applications exceeds the quota, permits will be drawn through a drawing of lots.

Those granted a permit will have to pay a HK$140 fee within a specified period to add a dog-admission endorsement to their food business licence.

The government will, depending on public response, start taking applications for the second phase by early 2027, according to the spokesman.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will offer guidelines that operators can take reference from in coming up with their own house rules.