People down here are getting ridiculous.
I'm personally getting sick of people with their (dog, cat, bird, monkey, etc.) in local stores and malls. Now restraunts? Leave your freaking animal at home.
Pet lovers push legislators to allow dogs in restaurants, if cities say OKDogs could soon get the chance to legally go out for a bite at your favorite restaurant.
Although the state outlaws patrons dining with their dogs, even on outdoor patios, that could change. Legislators are ready to consider letting individual cities ignore the statewide ban as part of a three-year pilot program.
"There is a huge need for this," said Tina Valant-Siebelts, 44, of Boca Raton, a professional photographer with five Australian shepherds. "People want to spend time with their dogs because dogs are the kids of the new millennium."
The debate began two years ago after a downtown Orlando restaurant not only allowed dogs on its patio, but offered doggie menu items as well. The state Department of Business & Professional Regulation, citing the law, told the restaurant to stop or face a fine up to $1,000 a day.
It stopped, but the incident forced all restaurants in the area to quit allowing dogs. That led thousands of pet owners to sniff out friendly legislators.
"I was shocked at the amount of lobbying for it," said state Rep. Susan Goldstein, R-Weston, who was on the House Business Regulation Committee that heard arguments on the measure last month. The state Legislature will debate the issue at the 60-day session that begins on March 7.
Although doggie dining is common in Europe, the demand for it hasn't been great in South Florida. However, not all cities actively enforce the state restriction.