June 09, 2006

Dining With Your Dog In Florida

Florida signed a new bill into law yesterday that allows your dog to dine with you at restuarants that have outdoor dining.

The measure creates a three-year pilot program, and the state will determine whether to continue it. Allowing dogs to dine will be up to each county, and even if it's allowed, restaurant owners will still decide individually whether to participate

Bush said the bill will allow dog lovers and their pets to "have a brewski together, have a hot dog together or whatever they want outdoors."

But not everybody agreed with the bill

Not everyone supported the bill. Orlando resident George Jones said he thought legally allowing dogs to dine in public was "the most ignorant thing I've ever seen."

"They eat well, but they don't eat with me," Jones, 51, said of his border collie and black Labrador. "I've already made the decision that I won't go to any place that will allow them. I just don't think people should eat with dogs; that's disgusting."

Um, George, the dogs won't be sitting AT the table like humans.

Posted by Quality Weenie at June 9, 2006 07:55 AM | TrackBack
Comments

Why, dear God, WHY must government get involved? Oh, what happened to private property? Every single politician who voted for this is a moron and a control-freak socialist asshole.

Posted by: Ogre at June 9, 2006 02:17 PM

Considering the poor care so many people exhibit when they have dogs, I would very likely be dining indoors. There are many who are excellent owners - but just think of the wonderful things a dog with negligent owners will accomplish in a short time. It will be interesting to see if it works.

Posted by: Teresa at June 10, 2006 07:03 PM

Having dogs in pubs is quite common in England and has been for ages. There is a popular place in Colorado called the "Dog Bar" that allows owners to bring their dogs as well. Not owning a dog this is not my comfort zone, but for those who count them as their best friends it might be a treat.

Posted by: h~ at June 12, 2006 08:53 AM

Ogre - At least they're not MANDATING that restaurants allow dogs, like it was some sort of Canine Civil Rights bill :-)

But I see your point. In a free society, gov't shouldn't have had the power to forbid having dogs in private restaurants in the first place.

Posted by: Harvey at June 14, 2006 07:41 AM