Should Dogs Be Allowed in Restaurants?

The state of Florida may become the first in the USA to allow dogs in restaurants. A bill making its way through the legislature would establish a three-year experiment allowing people to bring their dogs with them into restaurants with outside eating areas.

The Florida Representative sponsoring the bill said many restaurant owners are interested in meeting their customers' growing demands to take their pets with them on outings.

This would make Florida the first state to stray from federal standards that prohibit animals, except for service animals, in public eating areas.

It's not a free pass, however. Dogs must be on leashes and employees must clean up dog waste immediately and ensure that dogs do not come into contact with serving dishes. The bill also requires hand sanitizers for tables in areas where dogs are permitted.

While the law will permit dogs, it does not require restaurants to accept canine patrons. Local governments will be allowed to issue permits to restaurants and charge a fee.

Restaurants that want to accept dogs must carry $1M in liability insurance based on the concern of some lawmakers about the potential for dog bites.

Not everyone is supportive of this legislation.

Florida state health department officials objected and claimed that the dogs in restaurants increase the risk of food-borne illnesses transmitted through dogs both directly and indirectly as a result of unsanitary conditions and that dogs can carry "disease causing organisms" which may be transmitted to humans, especially the elderly and the young.

Cat owners objected because they were excluded. Some protestors asked if horses would be the next group of animals allowed in restaurants.

The most pervasive and serious objection was from people with allergies. The bill does require signs to be posted to warn dinners of areas where dogs may be present.

I'm in favor of this especially as it is being done a trial basis. If problems do arise, the experiment may be terminated.

However, in most European countries it's quite common to see dogs out with their owners in pubs and restaurants. Paris is notorious for dogs in every public place including bakeries and restaurants.

People who don't want to sit in a dog-friendly area will have the option of sitting inside the restaurant or patronizing a restaurant that does not permit dogs.

The Florida law seems a sensible initiative that meets the desires of today's dog owners while protecting the public from the potential of problem dogs.

And no, dogs won't be allowed to lick off a customer's plate or sit in a chair! The bill is expected to pass the legislature.

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