Sydney Harbour, one of the world’s most beautiful natural harbours, is famous for its size and magnificence. Its shoreline covers over 240 kilometres with many picturesque gardens and parks, some natural bushland, and pristine beaches.

The Sydney Opera House situated on Bennelong Point overlooking the harbour, is one of the world’s most iconic structures with its white “sails” symbolizing watercraft of all shapes and sizes, appropriate to its perfect location.

Along the seven-hundred-metre walkway approaching the Opera House are many fine dining venues as well as open-air cafés. Most of these also have courtyard dining so guests can enjoy sunshine and fresh air while appreciating views of the harbour, the Opera House, and the equally famous Sydney Harbour Bridge, while they eat.

It’s a wonderful place to relax and enjoy spectacular views in every direction.

However, there has been an increasing and unsettling problem for these diners over recent years, which some found amusing – but others not so much.

Thieves were stealing their food – sometimes right off their plates, directly in front of them. Diners couldn’t do a thing about it because it generally happened very quickly, and before they could recover their composure the perpetrators had swiftly departed.

It was no use calling the police – they were powerless to prevent the acts of theft and nor could they prosecute the thieves.

These miscreants are seagulls – who love the seafood on offer at the restaurants and are particularly partial to hot chips often accompanying the fish, prawns and other freshly caught delights.

The restaurants offered replacement meals – otherwise the diners would have to pay a high price for what might be left of their meal. If they still wanted to eat it!

Restaurants did not want to lose customers, nor suffer the financial losses of extra meals as well as extra time lost in preparation. And one percent of the population apparently has a fear of birds and would not dine in any venue where seagulls may be ever watchful for a victim.

A solution was needed.

Some of us with a weird sense of humour used to enjoy seeing the horrified looks of shock and dismay on the faces of elegantly dressed diners. However, no longer can anyone smile at their expense.

A solution has been found.

There are now guards patrolling the area with a special title, and these guards are doing a wonderful job. They are paid very handsomely for walking up and down past all these eateries, chasing away the seagulls. The diners love them and often want selfies with them, as this unique experience has enriched their afternoon or early evening.

These guards are called Seagull Patrol, and this title is emblazoned on their harnesses – for yes, these are trained dogs who have enough self-control to ignore the tantalising aromas of good food cooked well. They chase the seagulls, but are very docile, happy and willing to be patted by humans, and to pose for photos.

Three of the most expensive restaurants, and presumably some of the slightly less expensive ones, contribute to paying nearly $400,000 per year for their services. Two dogs are on each four-hour shift, and their owners are handsomely recompensed for their dogs doing what dogs enjoy doing – chasing birds.

It’s a win-win-win-win-lose situation. Diners are happy, restaurants are happy, dogs are happy, their owners are happy – but the seagulls are not.