The legislation is now making its way to Governor Andrew Cuomo for review, Consumerist reports.
However, the new “Dining with Dogs” bill doesn’t mean people can bring their dog to any restaurant with a patio. Instead, it allows customers to bring their leashed canine cohorts with them to any restaurant that’s providing the service. While restaurants can choose to ban dogs, those who decide to be pooch-friendly must ensure that the dogs won’t contaminate food, utensils or equipment.
Dogs are perfectly welcome in many restaurants now, Consumerist reports. These restaurants are popular spots, especially on sunny weekends.
In Westchester and Rockland, several restaurants are already quite dog-friendly, including Bridge View Tavern, which will be opening a beer garden where dogs are welcome in the next few months, The Journal News reports.
Owner Chris Maceyak says pet dogs are regulars at the tavern, and there’s never been any problems for those who are pet-free.
“We have no issues, we’re dog-friendly here,” he says. “Generally, the rules for dogs are the same for people or kids. If any of those living creatures are being uncooperative or difficult, we speak to them.”
The bill passed the state Assembly by a vote of 97-5, The New York Daily News reports.
Lawmakers have been deadlocked on scores of other weighty issues, most especially the extension of New York’s now expired rent regulations, so this bill was something a little light-hearted.
“I’m super excited,” said Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal (D-Manhattan), a sponsor of the bill. “This is a bill that makes people smile as opposed to all the other weighty issues we are dealing with.”
The measure initially had some at the Department of Health howling mad, and it urged lawmakers to shutter the legislation, saying that allowing dogs into restaurants would be risky for patrons and employees, The New York Daily News reports here.
“The Health Department loves all dogs, but just not at restaurants where they can create a risk to the health and safety of diners, restaurant workers and other dogs,” said department spokesman Christopher Miller. “Furthermore, the Food and Drug Administration recommends that animals be excluded from restaurants.”
Fortunately, the bill was backed by restaurant owners, who argued this was another good way to attract customers.
“We don’t know how many restaurants will take advantage of this option once permitted, but allowing restaurants the flexibility to serve patrons with their pet dogs will allow dog owners a new dining option and let restaurants determine if they have a demand for this service,” the Empire State Restaurant and Tavern Association said in a statement, according to The New York Daily News.
Allowing dogs in the al fresco areas of restaurants poses little health risk, Rosenthal and other backers of the bill say. California passed a similar bill last year and has had few problems, they note.
Senate Health Committee Chairman Kemp Hannon (R-Nassau County) sponsored the Senate version of the bill and cited a study conducted in 2013 and published in the Journal of Environmental Health. The study showed that dogs in outdoor dining areas posed few health risks as long as proper safety and sanitation practices were implemented.
The law stipulates that restaurant employees would be prohibited from having direct contact with dogs while on duty, the Journal News reports. A separate outdoor entrance is required so that dogs don’t pass through the restaurant on their way to the outdoor area. Also, the outdoor dining area has to be a space not used for food or beverage preparation, or for utensil storage.
