R

ecently, wishing to enjoy a cup of coffee and a snack at a café in Kemang, I was surprised to see a dog sitting on one of the chairs at the only table available.

I told the staff at the café that dogs and other animals should not sit where people are eating, but the staff said nothing.

When I asked the owner of the dog if she would move the dog she said: '€œWe are having a meeting,'€ indicating the person she was sitting with, as if '€œhaving a meeting'€ allowed such behavior.

Dogs are known to spread a number of deadly diseases to humans and they are considered unclean by the vast majority of Indonesians. I am also sure there are health regulations that prohibit animals from being allowed on the premises of places where humans buy and eat food.

If Jakarta'€™s administration is serious about creating a modern and dynamic Jakarta, it should enforce regulations prohibiting dogs and other animals from places where humans eat and drink.

Greg Warner
Jakarta