[Roaddog53]

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.

Things that make you go..Hmmmmm. We didn't see ANY of that at Crispers. Maybe they need to be sent this link. Definitely not the hand sanitizer on the tables or can't recall signs. What we really didn't care for though is the smoking. I thought smoking was not allowed in any establishment whether indoors or on a patio. Thought they had to be so far from the general public areas. Could be wrong though for this state. Was just surprised and did not make a big deal of it. Just got up and left and asked the question. When we got an answer, we now know and won't eat in the outdoor area.

[bluedog103]

Originally Posted by 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!!

A vest-collar is not required. Some people use them for their service dogs, others don't.

[bluedog103]

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.

Do you personally know of any instances of this happening, where a doctor "just signed off on it (for a yearly fee of course)"?
The use of service dogs isn't subjective at all. The ADA is very clear, it's just that people aren't aware of what's in these laws or they disagree with them.
We all know about opinions.

[Patty55]

I'm more concerned with what the cooks are doing to my food in the back than a dog in the front.

[BobnBev]

Originally Posted by Patty55

I'm more concerned with what the cooks are doing to my food in the back than a dog in the front.

We're on the same page there, Patty.

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

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.".

The dogs and the children in Europe always seemed better behaved than ours. Unfortunately, so very true and I really don't know why.

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by Patty55

I'm more concerned with what the cooks are doing to my food in the back than a dog in the front.

I like your take on life! Also, I do hope they are washing their hands when they return to the kitchen!

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Cobh521

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.

I'm sorry that you found this to be an uncomfortable situation. I just spoke with the manager of City Fire because I was curious about the back story. He told me the dogs were service dogs with proper documents. Just a thought ... perhaps these three women met and bonded over their common interest of fostering and training service dogs. Part of the training is experience in crowds and public situations.

As CFrance commented:

They might have been the dog's trainers. Somebody takes the puppy for a year or so, providing basic training and experience in public, after which if they pass certain tests, they go on to a trainer for further specific training in their service area.

[ilovetv]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

I'm sorry that you found this to be an uncomfortable situation. I just spoke with the manager of City Fire because I was curious about the back story. He told me the dogs were service dogs with proper documents. Just a thought ... perhaps these three women met and bonded over their common interest of fostering and training service dogs. Part of the training is experience in crowds and public situations.

As CFrance commented:
They might have been the dog's trainers. Somebody takes the puppy for a year or so, providing basic training and experience in public, after which if they pass certain tests, they go on to a trainer for further specific training in their service area.

There are plenty of "crowds" and "public situations" at the three town squares every night with loud music booming, and on the patios of the bar-restaurants surrounding each of the squares as City Fire has in both locations.

There is no need to have three big dogs inside a restaurant here, to accustom them to being in public, crowded or noisy/busy foot traffic situations here!!

[Cantwaittoarrive]

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

I don't see any reason why you couldn't have asked the manager about the dogs if they bothered you. How would City Fire know that customers might be bothered if nothing is said? The answer might have been oh those are service dogs.

[gerryann]

Originally Posted by Cantwaittoarrive

I don't see any reason why you couldn't have asked the manager about the dogs if they bothered you. How would City Fire know that customers might be bothered if nothing is said? The answer might have been oh those are service dogs.

There's no question that they were service dogs. There's just no reason to take them all into a busy restaurant at the same time. I would bet anything that not all three of these ladies were comfortable with having them all in there at the same time. I know it wasn't wrong. I know it was legal...it was just a pushing the ticket situation.

[Cobh521]

Next time I will ask the manager. These dogs did not have service dog gear on. They specifically had "comfort/therapy" vests on. From everything that I read on this, the dogs should not have been inside. Also, no hand cleansers offered or mentioned.

[rubicon]

Comfort dogs don't comfort some people. If a person is not inclined toward dogs then they will not be comfortable with a dog in a restaurant and at a hotel. We made reservation for a weekend at a hotel recommended by our hosts for a celebration for some friends. I was not a happy camper when people started showing up with their dogs when checking in. so the next time I make reservations for an overnight that is the first question I am asking them So three large dogs inside a restaurant would drive me out. It would have been more considerate had these three women remained on the outside patio with their darlings.

[perrjojo]

Originally Posted by gerryann

There's no question that they were service dogs. There's just no reason to take them all into a busy restaurant at the same time. I would bet anything that not all three of these ladies were comfortable with having them all in there at the same time. I know it wasn't wrong. I know it was legal...it was just a pushing the ticket situation.

Just as there is no reason for Grandparents to bring all of those CHILDREN in at the same time.

[Patty55]

Originally Posted by Cobh521

Next time I will ask the manager. These dogs did not have service dog gear on. They specifically had "comfort/therapy" vests on. From everything that I read on this, the dogs should not have been inside. Also, no hand cleansers offered or mentioned.

Y'know, if you need to be sanitized because a dog is at another table there may be a bigger problem here.

It's almost a shame you didn't speak to the people, the women I met that were training for Guide Dog Foundation loved talking about what they were doing.