Associated Press – Feb 24, 2006:
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.
Can we go a friggin’ week without some crazy idea coming out of Florida?!
There’s a reason that Florida has its own category on Fark…
What’s so crazy about that? The very part you quoted sounds far more reasonable than your headline.
First, it’s outdoor restaurants. Second, it’s sit with them, not eat with them, though I don’t doubt some owners would hand them some scraps. Third, and most importantly, they’re not forcing restaurants to accept dogs. They’re “allow[ing] cities to grant restaurants that want to host dogs special permission to do so under certain conditions.” That want to host dogs. They’re leaving it up to the restaurants.
Were you being sarcastic? This sounds perfectly reasonable to me.
I can predict that that restaurants that allow dogs that are merely family pets (e.g. not guide dogs) would drive out customers that don’t want dogs where they dine, if for no other reason than the begging problem.
Its embarassing to live there… In Miami beach some places allow you to bring dogs, and its nothing but barking fights… When Im paying 50$ + for a meal, I dont want to hear wild animals fighting & snarling. Needless to say I dont go to those places anymore.
Stupid people that think animals are people.
You wrote “crazy Florida” – I take it you are not a dog owner, dog lover. In Europe cities, dogs are allowed many places (and common sense applies not to take a 150 lb dog someplace in-appropriate). In Key West Florida; there are many restaurants where dogs are quite welcome – some restaurants on Duval Street in Key West even have ceramic water dishes for the dogs (which auto-fill with water). I think this is an excellent idea – sadly; some americans have zero common sense and they will try to bring an un-trained, poorly behaving 150lb dog with them everywhere. And as stated, this is for OUTSIDE restaurant seating and Optional for the restaurant owners. It’s about Quality of Life – if you are a dog lover, and going out for lunch outside on a lovely day – great to be able to bring your dog along as well.
If allowing dogs causes problems for some people, the restaurants can either go back to forbidding dogs or lose those customers. The point is that it would be up to the restaurant. Basically the law would change from the state telling restaurants “no dogs, ever” to “your decision.” I see no problem with that. Each restaurant can weigh the tradeoffs themselves. Some may want to cater to dog owners, others won’t.
Whats the big deal? I’ve sat at outside cafes with my dog without a problem or comment. Lets face it some people just don’t like dogs and they can vote with their dollars to eat somewhere else.
Steve: Putting your ridiculous hyperbole aside, you’re saying because some people like yourself don’t like the idea of dogs in restaurants, no restaurant in the entire state of Florida should be allowed to cater to dog owners?
I’m willing to bet that after this is approved, there will still be far more restaurants that don’t allow dogs than do. I see no reason to keep up an absolute ban. It will be another business decision that each restaurant will have to weigh themselves. As long as there are people like you, there will be restaurants to cater to people like you.
#5 your right but you forgot one thing, the weight of a dog doesn’t matter. The little ones will sometimes cause more problems.
Most of time I have been in Europe there was never a problem but on one occassion a little one started it with a Great Dane. They were both regulars and it appears they had a run in earlier in the week somewhere else as I was told later. The Great Dane kept its cool and the owner of the small dog took it outside for a “time-out” probably before the Great Dane put it on the menu.
Looks like a show for the “Dog Whisperer”.
Hey, they allow children in restaurants. I’ll take a quiet dog over your typical child any day. Besides, as has been pointed out, the law doesn’t require places to allow dogs; it simply not longer FORBIDS places from allowing dogs in some areas. As for the “dog beach” remark above, I’ve seen plenty of happy dog beaches first hand. Their steady eradication is a major PITA. Sure, plenty of people can’t cope with dogs and in cities the majority of beaches should probably be dog free for this simple intolerance factor, but having no dog beaches is very bad. Dogs get a lot more out of a beach than most humans.
We are talking about RESTUARANTS people!!!! Every establishment can decide if they want to allow dogs, smoking, nudity, communists, etc.
We are talking about one of the most optional rights if there ever was one, the right to pay other people to make food and serve alcohol to you. At some point, the freedom to associate with whom you want should come into play, without the GOVERNMENT getting involved. We are not talking housing, we are not talking employment, we are not talking health care. We are talking about paying someone to serve you food. We are not talking about dogs in our parks, on our beaches, we are talking about dogs and their owners on PRIVATE property. Rediculous.
These are one of the times I’m embarrassed by being an American.
Greg
There is more to it then just “liking” animals. I know I don’t want to go places where dogs would be allowed for several reasons. The main one would be sanitation. Even outside, animals, including dogs, have a difficult time understanding that humans prefer eliminating waste in a dedicated room using specialized receptacles. The thought of enjoying a chocolate sundae, while Fido shows what is left of his fillet mignon dinner from the night before, turns my stomach.
The propensity of dogs to assert their territory and protect their turf from others often rises to spats between the dogs. Or, if heaven forbid, a patron accidentally steps on a dog he didn’t see and the dog thinks that he will get even by just having a little taste of ankle. It happens frequently with the most adorable little ankle nippers being the most aggressive. Or if some 15 lb ball of fluff with razors for teeth decides to growl and show me those razors doesn’t endear me either.
Now do I like surprises to be halfway through my dinner only to discover then that dogs are welcomed. No thank you.
And before you get your shorts in a knot, I like dogs. We have two here. A 80 lb Lab / Schnauzer mix and a small indoor Dachshund. They are both well behaved, in my opinion, and trained. But I wouldn’t take them into a restaurant.
As long as there are people like you, there will be restaurants to cater to people like you
Good point Greg. I hope that as long as there are people like you, there will be some restaurant will to serve you.
Being a giant sized lover of all animals….this is great to me.
But like it says, it will be a choice thing. And the choice will extend to those who don’t want to go there anymore due to the dogs.
Someone said something about a doggie menu…..some of the places we eat on a regular basis wouldn’t have to change a thing.
I would much rather have my dog there, being happy, than have to listin to some rude jerk on his/her cell phone or someones unhousebroken kids screaming and throwing tantrums. Have you ever smelled a baby diaper full of human crap? That will put an end to your meal in a heart beat.
I have been to places in Paris where the dogs are set a place and served on fine china. I don’t think sitting outside with your dog is the same.
I say ….cool…..it’s about time.
Mr Fusion: I think you’re misreading my comments. I never said anything about liking or not liking animals. That was Mel. You can certainly like animals and not want them in restaurants.
As long as there are people like you, there will be restaurants to cater to people like you.
Don’t read that snidely, because that’s not how I wrote it. If you reread my comment, “people like you” refers to “people like yourself [who] don’t like the idea of dogs in restaurants.”
Good point Greg. I hope that as long as there are people like you, there will be some restaurant will to serve you.
Regardless of whether you meant that snidely or not, that’s exactly my point. There are obviously some people here who would like such a thing, but they’re not offered that option unless this law passes. So now I’ll put my question to Steve to you: Do you think because some people like yourself don’t like the idea of dogs in restaurants, no restaurant in the entire state of Florida should be allowed to cater to dog owners this way?
As for dog behavior, it can go either way. It’s up to the restaurant to decide if they want to deal with those issues or not, and if they do, it’s up to patrons like yourself to decide if you want to continue going there.
Thats a good idea, because alot of dogs have died from being left in cars and overheating….. and i always hate to leave my dog all alone in the car when we are traveling.
As a Floridian (although I now live in Moscow, Russia) I don’t see where this is such a big deal. It’s outdoors, it’s rarely cold in Florida (actually, after having been through my first Russian winter it’s NEVER cold in Florida), etc, etc.
Amusing to see people go completely berserk over the idea of someone being able to grab a bite to eat while out with their dog if the restaurant chooses to allow them.
What’s next?! A decent education system?!
I’m all for this. I also agree with the poster who wants child-free restaurants as well. Screaming kids make a hell of alot more noise than most dogs.
Greg
Yes.
And after we stop the dogs from eating in Florida restaurants, we can go after the Canadian Snow Birds. Then all Sun Devils should be banned. Sharks shouldn’t be allowed either, especially in the Tampa Bay area. Sitting next to a StingRay is no fun, they gotta go. So should Colts, Mustangs, Bruins, Bears, and Cubs, all Bengals, Lions, and especially, those mighty Ducks !!!
I say Ban all animals !!! Because if you start letting one specie in, pretty soon PETA will have ALL types of animals in. The only exception I would allow would be during hunting season.
The law passed today.