Dogs on trains: 95 per cent of Sydney pooch owners support it

A new study finds 95 per cent of Sydney dog owners are in favour of their furry friends being allowed on public transport.

Lala, the "dog stationmaster" of JR Shin-Totsukawa train station, is pictured in Shin-Totsukawa, Hokkaido, on June 17, 2017. Source: AAP

The vast majority of Sydney dog owners would happily tap onto public transport alongside their furry friend, a new survey has found.

The University of Sydney study surveyed more than 1250 dog owners in 2016 with 95 per cent of respondents saying they are in favour of pooches riding on public transport.

Dr Jennifer Kent, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning said in a city where dog ownership was among the highest in the world, the benefits to be gained from the ease of public transport access were extensive.

"If dogs weren't restricted from riding on public transport, this high number of car trips for dogs could be reduced. The benefits would extend far beyond fewer cars on the road, by potentially getting people moving more with their dogs and socially connected," said Dr Kent in a statement on Thursday.

Results showed Sydneysiders were chaperoning their pooches in approximately 2.4 million dog-related car trips each week, while 14 per cent of hound owners said the lack of transport prevented them from visiting the vet.

More than half the respondents said they would do more activities with their dogs if they were allowed on public transport.

"The issue with dogs on public transport is perhaps less about society's appreciation of dogs, but more about the acceptance of dogs in public spaces," Dr Kent said.