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Fla. Bill Would Give Dogs a Place at Table
http://www.comcast.net/ ^ | 2 24 06 | DAVID ROYSE

Posted on 02/24/2006 2:12:05 PM PST by 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.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events; US: Florida
KEYWORDS: a; at; bill; doggieping; dogs; fla; florida; floriduh; give; govwatch; place; rinowatch; table; tallahassee; would
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To: RVN Airplane Driver
"It's also very common in Europe"

Why would you say this? Why would any one say this?

41 posted on 02/24/2006 3:34:53 PM PST by bluecollarman
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To: freepatriot32

If I understand this correctly, rather than forcing restaurant owners to admit dogs, it eliminates the regulations that prevent them from admitting dogs.

In other words, more freedom of choice.


42 posted on 02/24/2006 3:36:05 PM PST by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
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To: freepatriot32

the same pols that wont allow you to let smoking take place are tryingot force resturant owners to allow dogs to eat at resturants



I don't think anyone is trying to force anyone to do anything. This is about giving restaurant owners the freedom of choice whether or not permit pets. I don't think it's hypocritical to advance freedom in one area, even when there is a lack of freedom in another area. Universal oppression is hardly the solution to hypocrisy.


43 posted on 02/24/2006 3:43:34 PM PST by Atlas Sneezed (Your FRiendly FReeper Patent Attorney)
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To: freepatriot32

Well, as long as the dogs aren't SMOKING, I see no problem with this. I can't believe that anyone would mind watching a dog licking it's butt while they eat. /sarcasm


44 posted on 02/24/2006 3:52:15 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (Save The Earth. It's The Only Planet With Chocolate.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

"I can't believe that anyone would mind watching a dog licking it's butt while they eat. /sarcasm"

Yeah, but if the dog's licking his balls, the guys get envious.


45 posted on 02/24/2006 3:54:48 PM PST by Vicomte13 (Lui: Eh, quel est votre signe? Elle: "Ne pas entrer")
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To: joesnuffy
"Wait till the gang bangers show up with their pit bulls and fifi at the next table becomes an entre..."
Things are getting just slightly out of hand in the US of A. The brain drain has over taken us. Break out the baseball bats! hehehe. Then again perhaps it really is not so funny.
46 posted on 02/24/2006 4:03:01 PM PST by Marine_Uncle (Honor must be earned)
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To: Marine_Uncle

Many strange things happen in the "State that could not vote straight."


47 posted on 02/24/2006 4:06:05 PM PST by verity (The MSM is comprised of useless eaters)
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To: Michael.SF.

I'll go for a few of these...like nuclear power.


48 posted on 02/24/2006 4:07:51 PM PST by Recovering Ex-hippie
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To: the Marshal
Do you want a dog's fecal coliform bacteria on the outside of your pants, to carry into your car and back home with you to spread around on your couch and who knows where else? And it's not even your dog?

I don't.

49 posted on 02/24/2006 4:07:57 PM PST by snarks_when_bored
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To: FoxInSocks

I did not mean to say..if they do it in Europe its better or ok. I was just pointing out that not all civilized societies ban doggies in restaurants.


50 posted on 02/24/2006 4:09:49 PM PST by Recovering Ex-hippie
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To: the Marshal

And, btw, I like dogs...I just don't want to sit where they've rubbed their butts.


51 posted on 02/24/2006 4:10:27 PM PST by snarks_when_bored
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To: freepatriot32

Aunt Edna: "My sandwich tastes funny"


52 posted on 02/24/2006 4:12:19 PM PST by steveo (There is absolutely nothing like the frame of a dame....)
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To: Vicomte13

"Yeah, but if the dog's licking his balls, the guys get envious."

I just KNEW I should've kept my mouth shut and my typing fingers taped together, LOL!


53 posted on 02/24/2006 4:13:25 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (Save The Earth. It's The Only Planet With Chocolate.)
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To: Bear_in_RoseBear
Interesting, this has recently become an issue here in Austin as well.

I've been watching this issue too, but here this only applies to the patio seating areas. There is no way I want to be eating and have some mutt staring at me when I am eating. I get that at home from our poodle and I don't want to have that at any restaurant.

54 posted on 02/24/2006 4:14:38 PM PST by Arrowhead1952 (I never got a job from a person on a government program.)
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To: verity
"Many strange things happen in the "State that could not vote straight."
Surely many feel the whole nation is not far behind.
55 posted on 02/24/2006 4:18:03 PM PST by Marine_Uncle (Honor must be earned)
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To: Recovering Ex-hippie; Still Thinking
I am with both of you on #5 and in my younger days would have gone for 2 and 4, and maybe 3.

I still like # 11, especially with old Amsterdam or Stilton and as for 9, well, I still think this is one of the most beautiful cars ever made:


56 posted on 02/24/2006 4:23:18 PM PST by Michael.SF. (Well, Kerry did win the exit polls.)
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To: Michael.SF.

that is a beautiful car!


57 posted on 02/24/2006 4:25:16 PM PST by Recovering Ex-hippie (Google would sell out America to the highest bidder!)
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To: freepatriot32
No one is forcing the restaurants to accept dogs....or people to patronize a restaurant that accepts dogs.

Keeping that in mind...what's your problem with this again?

58 posted on 02/24/2006 4:29:29 PM PST by jess35
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To: Recovering Ex-hippie

Ah, okay. We're on the same page after all.


59 posted on 02/24/2006 4:47:41 PM PST by FoxInSocks
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To: Bacon Man; Hap; humblegunner; Allegra

I would love to be able to take Salty to restaurants! As long as he's outside, his methane output shouldn't offend.


60 posted on 02/24/2006 6:04:13 PM PST by Xenalyte (Make the homeys say HO and the girlies wanna scream!)
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