Pub's ban after 20 dogs drive customers barking mad

The Windmill Inn, Werrington, Staffordshire, introduced a blanket ban because customer safety was 'jeopardised' by the huge number of pooches attracted to the venue.

The move has upset dog-loving regulars, who have contacted their local newspaper to complain​, and one said he has not returned to the pub since the introduction of ban, which stops him bringing his four-legged friends.

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But the pub has defended its decision, with a spokesman explaining it was taken to ensure a comfortable and relaxed environment for all guests.

"At times, where we have seen up to 20 dogs in the pub at one point, this was being jeopardised," the spokesman said.

Positive feedback

"While we appreciate this will be disappointing to some, we have already received positive feedback from guests dining with us.

"We are still happy for dogs to join their owners in our beer garden."

The Windmill is a Greene King-managed pub, but the pubco has no company-wide policy on dogs, and the decision is at the general manager's discretion.

One customer, who has visited the pub with his pets for five years, complained to the Stoke Sentinel​ about the ban.

He said: "I've been taking Ruby and Basil into the pub after our walks for years.

"My dogs have always been well-behaved. I pride myself on the behaviour of my dogs. I am a responsible pet owner."

No warning

He added: "It's not as much the blanket ban on all dogs; it's the way that it was implemented. There was no warning. I went up to the door and there was a sign put up saying 'no dogs allowed'.

"The first sign they had up was banning all dogs, but it has since been changes to allow guide dogs."

He hasn't returned to the pub since they introduced the ban.

No regulations

A spokesman for Greene King told the Publican's Morning Advertiser​: "We have no company-wide policy on admitting dogs at our managed pubs as there are no regulations specifically in regards to dogs in public houses.

"In light of this, it is at the general manager's discretion whether to permit legal dogs in their pub. Assistance dogs will always be allowed.

"In our pubs, which allow dogs, we ask owners to handle them responsibly in relation to their behaviour towards our team members and other guests."