[kimball]

Originally Posted by Cobh521

I do not dislike dogs. In fact I had a dog for the past 18 years that recently passed. I was in City Fire in Brownwood and three women had three very very large dogs with them. They insisted that they needed to eat inside. The waiter could not get near the table since the dogs were sitting there. These dogs had comfort tags on them but I do not believe this is the same as a service dog. While these women were waiting for a seat they had the whole entrance blocked by the dogs. I do not feel that these large dogs, who could eat off the tables standing ip, should be in a dining establishment. I am also allergic to these breeds. (I had a toy poodle). I would like some opinions on this matter as I felt if I complained I would be causing a ruckus of ADA

Disgusting!!!

[mickey100]

You could make a call to the State Health Dept. and report what you saw. They'll take it from there.

[memason]

Not sure why this is such an issue in the US. If you go to Europe, you will have dogs in dining establishments all the time.

Different cultures, I guess ????

[SannyTX]

Originally Posted by memason

Not sure why this is such an issue in the US. If you go to Europe, you will have dogs in dining establishments all the time.

Different cultures, I guess ????

True! I spent 6 years in Germany and found that the locals would leave the kids at home and take the dog with them to the restaurant. I MUCH preferred that! I'd rather have dinner next to a quiet, well behaved dog than a toddler.

[NotGolfer]

Service dogs wear a type of "vest-collar" to identify them. We know a man whose training a puppy to be one and this dog wears it at all times when they're out and about. His dog is young but knows the commands very well and will lie down under his chair!

It's these types of dogs that are generally allowed in establishments and not other dogs. Not knowing the details of this occurance that the OP talks about it's hard to make an opinion otherwise.

BUT if these were folks off the street asking to have their pets accompany them into a restaurant is going over-board. It's unappetising plus not healthy to have a dog's face on the table!!

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by SannyTX

True! I spent 6 years in Germany and found that the locals would leave the kids at home and take the dog with them to the restaurant. I MUCH preferred that! I'd rather have dinner next to a quiet, well behaved dog than a toddler.

[birdawg]

Originally Posted by memason

Not sure why this is such an issue in the US. If you go to Europe, you will have dogs in dining establishments all the time.

Different cultures, I guess ????

And in parts of Asia they eat them!

[JourneyOfLife]

Some information on it

Is a ‘Comfort Dog’ a Service Dog? | Delta Society – Animals Helping People - seattlepi.com

I can understand why some need the animals with them (e.g. blind person with seeing eye dog). The dog performs a concrete function that no one can dispute.

But in subjective areas, most would find a doctor that would sign off on it (for the yearly fee of course) and it would be widely abused. The whole idea, other than the fact that we like our pets, is very subjective.

The "comfort animal" concept has a number of practical problems. If dogs, how about cats? How about a pet python? They all might bite. What is the difference other than your bias for a dog and someone else bias for a some specialty Lizard? How about birds?

I do not buy the argument of "I can't be without my comfort dog for an hour". I would say it is stated in the name: "Comfort", which does not mean "need"... more like a preference.


There also some other practical problems:

- Dogs and other animals, can bark and make noise
- They can (and do) get into fights
- They can (and do) attack people.
- They can (and do) relieve themselves whenever they choose.
- They can (and do) tend to want to roam. Even a trained dog is not going to want to sit like a statue in one place for an hour and a half.
- Probably a thousand other things too.

Sorry Fido relieved himself in the restaurant... but you were so rude to fido with that face you made, now fido is very upset.... "I'm not tipping." As they stomp out and leave fido's "Tip" on the floor.

[gomoho]

Originally Posted by DougB

Just need to know if the dogs pooped and if the owner picked it up. Also, any sharing of deserts with these 3 dogs?

PRICELESS

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by SannyTX

True! I spent 6 years in Germany and found that the locals would leave the kids at home and take the dog with them to the restaurant. I MUCH preferred that! I'd rather have dinner next to a quiet, well behaved dog than a toddler.

[eremite06]

Originally Posted by JourneyOfLife

Some information on it

Is a ‘Comfort Dog’ a Service Dog? | Delta Society – Animals Helping People - seattlepi.com

I can understand why some need the animals with them (e.g. blind person with seeing eye dog). The dog performs a concrete function that no one can dispute.

But in subjective areas, most would find a doctor that would sign off on it (for the yearly fee of course) and it would be widely abused. The whole idea, other than the fact that we like our pets, is very subjective.

The "comfort animal" concept has a number of practical problems. If dogs, how about cats? How about a pet python? They all might bite. What is the difference other than your bias for a dog and someone else bias for a some specialty Lizard? How about birds?

I do not buy the argument of "I can't be without my comfort dog for an hour". I would say it is stated in the name: "Comfort", which does not mean "need"... more like a preference.


There also some other practical problems:

- Dogs and other animals, can bark and make noise
- They can (and do) get into fights
- They can (and do) attack people.
- They can (and do) relieve themselves whenever they choose.
- They can (and do) tend to want to roam. Even a trained dog is not going to want to sit like a statue in one place for an hour and a half.
- Probably a thousand other things too.

Sorry Fido relieved himself in the restaurant... but you were so rude to fido with that face you made, now fido is very upset.... "I'm not tipping." As they stomp out and leave fido's "Tip" on the floor.

The voice of reason.

[perrjojo]

Originally Posted by eremite06

The voice of reason.

That's not allowed on this forum.

[blueash]

Originally Posted by KeepingItReal

Any restaurant that allows dogs, other than true service dogs, in the outside seating area is required to have a local permit and also comply with the minimum requirements outlined on this link or they are in violation of Florida State Laws.

Letting dogs in outside areas requires more than just permission, including posting signs, having hand sanitizer on each table, having a cleaning kit available in the outside area, and the server must remind customers to follow certain procedures such as washing their hands before eating.

These rules are Florida State Law.

FAQ - Dogs in Restaurants

One item from the link above.

9. Q. What are the minimum health or food safety conditions that must be met to allow pet dogs?

A. Any local ordinances allowing dogs must include the following minimum requirements:
All food service employees must wash their hands promptly after touching, petting, or otherwise handling dogs.
Employees cannot touch, pet, or otherwise handle dogs while serving food or beverages or handling tableware or before entering other parts of the establishment.
Patrons must be advised to wash their hands before eating. The establishment must provide waterless hand sanitizer at each table.
Dogs shall not come into contact with serving dishes, utensils, tableware, linens, paper products or any other items involved in food service operations.
Dogs shall be kept on a leash at all times and under reasonable control.
Dogs shall not be allowed on chairs, tables, or other furnishings.
Table and chair surfaces and any spillage shall be cleaned and sanitized between seating of patrons.
Accidents involving dog waste shall be cleaned immediately and the area sanitized with an approved product. Establishments are required to keep a kit containing cleaning materials in the designated outdoor area.
Signage reminding employees and patrons of adopted rules must be posted as required by local ordinance.
Dogs are not permitted to travel through any indoor or non-designated outdoor portions of the establishment. Ingress and egress to the designated, permitted, area cannot require entrance into or passage through any indoor area of the establishment.
Local governments may adopt additional requirements that must be met to obtain a permit.

Full wording of the legislation is 509.233 - - 2012 Florida Statutes - The Florida Senate and it seems to be in response to Federal regulation.

Anybody seen bottles of hand sanitizer on each table? Anybody seen the staff sanitize the tables and chairs after a dog patron visited, even if the dog never touched the table or chairs?
Anybody ever been advised by the ownership of the requirement to wash hands before eating?

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by SannyTX

True! I spent 6 years in Germany and found that the locals would leave the kids at home and take the dog with them to the restaurant. I MUCH preferred that! I'd rather have dinner next to a quiet, well behaved dog than a toddler.

The dogs and the children in Europe always seemed better behaved than ours.

I asked a cabbie why that was so, in Paris.

He answered in perfect French. "We beat them.".

[Bill32]

My wife's aunt had her doctor write up something to say her dog is a therapy dog. The only reason she did this is because the dog doesn't like to be left home alone.!!!! Three people all with the same affliction??? Give me a break...........I know someone with handicap plates because he drives his mother to Walmart once a week but parks in handicapped spots without her............really?? Unfortunately people are selfish and will try to skirt any rule that they don't feel they like. Others will bend over backwards just to see if they can. Can't go out to dinner without your dog???? Really??