Fla. Bill Would Give Dogs a Place at Table

http://www.comcast.net/ ^ | 2 24 06 | DAVID ROYSE

[freepatriot32]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Some Florida cities would like to throw a dog a bone _ or maybe a burger and some fries. Dogs would be able to sit with humans at outdoor restaurant tables in some communities under a measure advancing in the Florida Legislature.

The bill, approved by a House committee Wednesday, would create a three-year test program to allow cities to grant restaurants that want to host dogs special permission to do so under certain conditions.

Rep. Sheri McInvale, an Orlando Republican, filed the bill after some restaurant owners complained because they were threatened with fines for allowing doggy dining. The city supports the proposal.

"We are getting a renaissance downtown," said Kathy Russell, Orlando's director of government relations. "We've got designer restaurants and designer dogs, and (people) would like to have a designer cup of coffee with their designer dog."

Dogs would only be allowed to dine at outside tables under the plan. No restaurant would be required to let the dogs in, and cities would not be required to offer the variance from the law that normally bars canines. The dogs also would have to be on leashes.

But some say giving Fido a seat at the table raises serious questions. The issue of dog bites may be a concern for individual restaurant owners, McInvale said. The bill would require restaurants to have $1 million worth of liability insurance to be eligible to be exempted from the law.

"Everybody's not a dog person, and some people are afraid of dogs," said Rep. Terry Fields, a Democrat.

Tiffany Hickem, who shuttles her 9-month-old shelty Delaney between her home in Delray Beach and Gainesville where Hickem is a student at the University of Florida, would love to take the puppy to restaurants.

It would mean fewer hours Delaney would have to hang out at home all alone.

"Anytime I can take her out and do something with her, even if it's while I'm doing something, it gives her a chance get a little more socialized," Hickem said.

The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association is against the bill because different restaurants will have to follow different laws depending on what city they're in. The restaurant lobby probably won't howl too loudly about the proposal, though.

"Our membership is somewhat split on this," said the FRLA's general counsel, Richard Turner, who, for the record, has a puppy at home.

The bill has one more committee stop to make before it can go to the full House for a vote. A similar measure is awaiting Senate committee hearings. Some lawmakers still have questions _ albeit humorous ones.

"Does it mean if we pass this bill, it would eliminate doggy bags?" asked Rep. Julio Robaina, R-Miami.

[freepatriot32]

there go those small government repubs again shrinking the size and scope of the government you cant allow smoking in bars and resturants but you haveto be forced to accept dogs eating at your resturants that makes a hall of a lot of sence(in bizzaro world)

[freepatriot32]

Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here

[freepatriot32]

not a smoking ping buta hypocrisy ping the same pols that wont allow you to let smoking take place are tryingot force resturant owners to allow dogs to eat at resturants

[Marine_Uncle]

Don't worry. Wait till these dogs start to wee wee on kids shoes sitting next to the offending table, and fathers start to produce 44 magnums and taking them (the dogs of course) out of action.

[SouthernFreebird]

Wonder how long before a misunderstood pitt bull rips off a kids face while they're eating a burger.

[Daytyn71]

Canines aren't allowed to smoke at the tables though!! This is just plain stupid. Doesn't the Florida Legislature have anything better to do...like govern.

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

My beautiful Lola already goes with me to dine Al Fresco at Paneras and outdoors for coffee at Starbucks. Get over it...in Europe dogs are allowed IN many restaurants and on buses, subways and trains.

[1rudeboy]

but you haveto be forced to accept dogs eating at your resturants

Didn't you read the article you posted? What's up with that?

[Marine_Uncle]

See. I can use more appropriate grammatic constructs.

[KarlInOhio]

but you haveto be forced to accept dogs eating at your resturants

Doesn't match up with the article's statement: No restaurant would be required to let the dogs in,

[1rudeboy]

Chicago allows dogs to dine along with owners outside if the proprietor allows . . . .

[KarlInOhio]

I have dog germs! Get some hot water! Get some disinfectant! Get some iodine!

[Antonello]

not a smoking ping buta hypocrisy ping the same pols that wont allow you to let smoking take place are tryingot force resturant owners to allow dogs to eat at resturants

In all fairness, the article specifically says no restaurant would be forced to allow dogs in the outdoor dining area. I personally agree that a business owner should have the freedom to decide who his target market is, whether it be dog owners, smokers, or whatever.

[Abathar]

Doggy ping

[ExcursionGuy84]

Who let the Dogs out
Who, Who, Who-Who
Who let the Dogs out
Who, Who, Who-Who
Who let the Dogs out
Who, Who, Who-Who
Who let the Dogs out
Who, Who, Who-Who

[1rudeboy]

Dog-Friendly City Guides

[Sybeck1]

Are the dogs allowed to play cards? Since they can't smoke you know.

[RVN Airplane Driver]

It's also very common in Europe

[Bear_in_RoseBear]

Interesting, this has recently become an issue here in Austin as well. Makes me wonder if some advocacy group is pushing it...

[Servant of the 9]

there go those small government repubs again shrinking the size and scope of the government you cant allow smoking in bars and resturants but you haveto be forced to accept dogs eating at your resturants that makes a hall of a lot of sence(in bizzaro world)

NO.

This is a republican bill.
It allows each restaurant to choose whether or not to accept dogs.

So9