[CFrance]

Originally Posted by donb9006

Wow...really? And if you don't like smokers, or any other annoyance, how about going somewhere else?

Yesterday, at the square, I was waiting for a lady friend at the public restroom. There was a guy with a teacup sized dog on a long leash right in the middle of the crown going to and from the restrooms. The dog was on a long leash and several people were taken aback as they were surprised, and had to navigate around this dog/leash right in the middle of the comings and goings. One man made a hrumph sound, showing his displeasure after almost tripping on the 10ft leash. The guy with the dog actually said "we've got Mr grumpy here today precious". I couldn't believe the cluelessness, or lack of respect, this man had. I almost laughed loudly out loud when I heard his comment. Please, keep your animal home, they don't belong at public gatherings.

First of all, this is off topic. We're talking about dogs at restaurant, not dogs on long leashes with arrogant owners. Second, I'll take my dog out in public whenever I want, wherever it's legal, and I won't be brought down for it because some, and only some, people don't control their dogs properly.

I can't do anything about the people blowing smoke back on me in restos or smoking in front of me on the street, so I take avoidance measures. I don't eat in the parts of restos where they smoke, and I cross the street if they're blowing smoke back on me while walking. So again, I say that you can boycott the restos who allow dogs, if you're that against it, or work to have the law repealed.

Frankly, if we didn't have a 90-lb dog, he would be with us at dining wherever allowed BY LAW. It's only for his comfort that we don't take him to Red Sauce and the like.

[graciegirl]

Had breakfast at Sonrise Café the other day and three adorable and well behaved dogs were outside with their owners. Or the other way around.

One was all alone with her little water cup. While we were waiting to go inside, we watched people pet her and stop to talk to her and she was very well behaved....but ....she got more attention than Marilyn Monroe at JFK's birthday bash.

[gomoho]

If you choose not to go to restaurants where dogs are allowed, more power to you - will shorten the wait for me and both pooches if I decide to bring them out any particular evening. Would rather have a dog under the table next to me then birds pooping on the furniture!!!

[leftyf]

We saw a dog in Sam's Club at the snack bar eating off the table last year. We said something to a worker and he said "It's not right but we are not allowed to say anything."

[donb9006]

Originally Posted by leftyf

We saw a dog in Sam's Club at the snack bar eating off the table last year. We said something to a worker and he said "It's not right but we are not allowed to say anything."

There's a lot of that these days...

[missypie]

Originally Posted by leftyf

We saw a dog in Sam's Club at the snack bar eating off the table last year. We said something to a worker and he said "It's not right but we are not allowed to say anything."

And people wonder why I carry antiseptic wipes with me to clean my surroundings before I eat.....

[Patty55]

Originally Posted by missypie

And people wonder why I carry antiseptic wipes with me to clean my surroundings before I eat.....

Yep, you got to do that. Last night I took my dogs out to dinner, made sure I wiped down their area before they ate. You never know what germy people were there, maybe even children.

[donb9006]

Originally Posted by Patty55

Yep, you got to do that. Last night I took my dogs out to dinner, made sure I wiped down their area before they ate. You never know what germy people were there, maybe even children.

Thinking about it more...can I trade allowing dogs for allowing children? I've seen HUGE messes left behind...and like a dollar tip. Yes, children ARE worse than dogs in a restaurant. Got a wipe I can borrow...

[buggyone]

Originally Posted by donb9006

Thinking about it more...can I trade allowing dogs for allowing children? I've seen HUGE messes left behind...and like a dollar tip. Yes, children ARE worse than dogs in a restaurant. Got a wipe I can borrow...

How about the parents (and grandparents) who sit their toddlers on the tables?

Pass the Handi-Wipes, please!

[Patty55]

Originally Posted by buggyone

How about the parents (and grandparents) who sit their toddlers on the tables?

Pass the Handi-Wipes, please!

Yes, and that's why I use long retractable leashes, it's difficult to trip out of control childen with a short leash. Just last night a child of about 4 was running until my leash tripped him, I might have saved his life, his parents couldn't thank me enough.

You all should be happy to see dogs at restaurants, one day they may save your life.

[ilovetv]

To me, the possibly of a dog fight trumps almost everything about sanitation. Or that a little toddler would get caught in a dog fight while petting a friendly dog and another one comes up and attacks:

June, 2013 I wrote:

I love dogs and have never commented on these threads because I'm a "dog hater". I just don't like it at all when dog owners put dogs first, and people second. People want and need more food sanitation and safety where they eat than dogs do. Here is an example I had never thought about, and now that I saw it, it's hard to forget....

About 6 weeks ago, I was at the stop light at Lake Sumter Landing in front of City Fire, headed southbound at about 8:45pm. As I waited at the light, I noticed a couple with their 2 dogs sitting on the patio at Johnny Rockets. Their dogs were no problem, just lying at the owners' feet under the table. Well, then a really scary thing happened out of the blue. Another couple came along walking in front of the patio with their huge dog, and in a split second, the huge dog went wild and attacked the dogs under the table....he shot under the railing and went after those 2 peaceful ones like he was going to tear them apart.

And yes, I looked for service dog vests etc., and there were none on any of the three.

To me, a true dog fight is a terrifying thing out in the open, much less when the small ones being attacked were lying under a table and when the owners were seated and could not get up and react fast enough with that huge dog attacking theirs. The owners managed to drag him away as he acted like a frothing beast, and they looked like this was all "no problem".

I just don't think it is necessary to have animals in restaurants unless it is a properly credentialed service dog. Many dogs, no matter how well trained, are unpredictable when it comes to other animals they encounter in a new place.

So let the fire bombs begin. I don't care. This is what I saw.

Restaurant patios that are dog friendly

[Patty55]

WHATEVER

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by ilovetv

To me, the possibly of a dog fight trumps almost everything about sanitation. Or that a little toddler would get caught in a dog fight while petting a friendly dog and another one comes up and attacks:

June, 2013 I wrote:

I love dogs and have never commented on these threads because I'm a "dog hater". I just don't like it at all when dog owners put dogs first, and people second. People want and need more food sanitation and safety where they eat than dogs do. Here is an example I had never thought about, and now that I saw it, it's hard to forget....

About 6 weeks ago, I was at the stop light at Lake Sumter Landing in front of City Fire, headed southbound at about 8:45pm. As I waited at the light, I noticed a couple with their 2 dogs sitting on the patio at Johnny Rockets. Their dogs were no problem, just lying at the owners' feet under the table. Well, then a really scary thing happened out of the blue. Another couple came along walking in front of the patio with their huge dog, and in a split second, the huge dog went wild and attacked the dogs under the table....he shot under the railing and went after those 2 peaceful ones like he was going to tear them apart.

And yes, I looked for service dog vests etc., and there were none on any of the three.

To me, a true dog fight is a terrifying thing out in the open, much less when the small ones being attacked were lying under a table and when the owners were seated and could not get up and react fast enough with that huge dog attacking theirs. The owners managed to drag him away as he acted like a frothing beast, and they looked like this was all "no problem".

I just don't think it is necessary to have animals in restaurants unless it is a properly credentialed service dog. Many dogs, no matter how well trained, are unpredictable when it comes to other animals they encounter in a new place.

So let the fire bombs begin. I don't care. This is what I saw.

Restaurant patios that are dog friendly

iMO, this has nothing to do with dogs in restaurants and everything to do with the owner of the big dog not being in control of his dog. If you have a poorly socialized dog who goes after other dogs, you shouldn't be walking him in any area where there may be other dogs if you can't control that dog.

The dogs in the restaurant did nothing wrong. You're advocating banning the victims.

[ilovetv]

Originally Posted by CFrance

iMO, this has nothing to do with dogs in restaurants and everything to do with the owner of the big dog not being in control of his dog. If you have a poorly socialized dog who goes after other dogs, you shouldn't be walking him in any area where there may be other dogs if you can't control that dog.

The dogs in the restaurant did nothing wrong. You're advocating banning the victims.

No, I'm advocating for the victims that are people, like the ones that owned the peaceful dogs under the table, and whose legs could well have been bitten and torn open with a dog fight under the table.

I'm also advocating for the people at the tables beside them who could have been caught in a dog fight.

Human legs under restaurant tables aren't prone to attracting an unruly or unpredictable leashed dog on the sidewalk. But mixing unfamiliar dogs in heavy foot traffic and loud live music blaring--as the squares have--is a recipe for trouble.

[KeepingItReal]

It's time to just quit complaining and use the laws to address the problem. Continuing to post about this does no good and just gets the same old responses and does nothing to change anything.

Obviously while many do care there are also many dog owners that do not really care about any of the concerns of others as noted by the snarky, immature, and failed attempts to be funny posts. Hurling insults has never made anything better. If we cannot address dogs which are animals how could we ever hope to address children sitting on tables?

It should be handled by the owners of these squares and restaurants but just like the saving chair problems but it is easier for them to just remain mum and let it continue rather than to address it.

If you have concerns here is the information once again. You have a right and duty to report illegal behavior and Cody's is the only restaurant that has the required permit to allow animals in the outside seating area.

Sam's and others without the required permits are breaking the law and hiding behind just saying they cannot do anything.

This is information from a previous thread recently on which this subject was pretty much beat to death. The health code has numerous requirements for the establishment that holds a permit. There is only one that holds the required permit:

Florida State Laws

FAQ - Dogs in Restaurants

Permits for dogs on outdoor patios. Presently, Cody’s Road House in Lake Sumter Landings in The Villages is the only restaurant in Sumter County permitted under Section 13-735 of the Land Development Code. If you have visited Cody’s Road House and believe they are not complying with the requirements of their permit, please also let me know and I will assign an inspector to review their compliance.

If you have any additional questions, please contact me.
Karl E. Holley, AICP
Director of Development Services
Sumter County Board of Commissioners
7375 Powell Road
Wildwood, Florida 34785
(352) 689-4463
Sumter County, FL - Official Website

From the website above:

1. All public food service establishment employees shall wash their hands promptly after touching, petting, or otherwise handling dogs. Employees shall be prohibited from touching, petting, or otherwise handling dogs while serving food or beverages or handling tableware or before entering other parts of the public food service establishment.
2. Patrons in a designated outdoor area shall be advised that they should wash their hands before eating. Waterless hand sanitizer shall be provided at all tables in the designated outdoor area.
3. Employees and patrons shall be instructed that they shall not allow dogs to come into contact with serving dishes, utensils, tableware, linens, paper products, or any other items involved in food service operations.
4. Patrons shall keep their dogs on a leash at all times and shall keep their dogs under reasonable control.
5. Dogs shall not be allowed on chairs, tables, or other furnishings.
6. All table and chair surfaces shall be cleaned and sanitized with an approved product between seating of patrons. Spilled food and drink shall be removed from the floor or ground between seating of patrons.
7. Accidents involving dog waste shall be cleaned immediately and the area sanitized with an approved product. A kit with the appropriate materials for this purpose shall be kept near the designated outdoor area.
8. A sign or signs reminding employees of the applicable rules shall be posted on premises in a manner and place as determined by the local permitting authority.
9. A sign or signs reminding patrons of the applicable rules shall be posted on premises in a manner and place as determined by the local permitting authority.
10. A sign or signs shall be posted in a manner and place as determined by the local permitting authority that places the public on notice that the designated outdoor area is available for the use of patrons and patrons’ dogs.
11. Dogs shall not be permitted to travel through indoor or nondesignated outdoor portions of the public food service establishment, and ingress and egress to the designated outdoor portions of the public food service establishment must not require entrance into or passage through any indoor area of the food establishment.