Al fresco with Fido? NY considers dog dining
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New York is considering whether to join a growing number of states in the US that give pet dogs legal entree, if not actual entrees, at open-air eateries.
Dog lovers and restaurateurs say the proposal would safely accommodate people who want to dine out with man鈥檚 best friend in places from Manhattan sidewalk cafes to rural ice cream stands. But a statewide health officials鈥 group is against it, and at least one lawmaker is raising questions, and some restaurant goers fear an onslaught of begging, barking, biting and other doggie don鈥檛s.
Owners like Michelle Vargas feel the estimated 500,000 dogs in the biggest US city have a place in al fresco dining and it鈥檚 not on the pavement outside a patio railing, where the current law would have them.
鈥淔or me, there鈥檚 nothing better than being with 鈥 I don鈥檛 even call them my dogs. They鈥檙e my boys,鈥 Vargas said while relaxing this past week with her poodle mixes, Luigi and Carmine, and a friend鈥檚 wire fox terrier at an outdoor Manhattan park cafe.
American public health officials have long banned pet dogs from eateries, out of concerns including potential biting or transmitting germs to food. A 2013 study in the Journal of Environmental Health found such risks haven鈥檛 been clearly quantified amid slim research.
Aficionados counter that dogs hang out safely in home kitchens and even make hospital visits. California, Florida, Maryland, New Mexico and some other states and communities around the country have opened restaurant patios to dogs within the last decade; North Carolina approved cats too.
After getting a unanimous OK from New York鈥檚 state Senate, advocates are pressing its Assembly to sign on this spring.
New York City鈥檚 83,000 restaurant inspections per year yield only about 170 tickets for letting pets in. But furry faces often can be seen while inspectors are elsewhere.
Dougie the poodle peeked discreetly from beneath owner Marni Turner鈥檚 chair at a Manhattan sidewalk cafe table one recent day. If he could be a legit guest, 鈥渋t would make my life a lot easier,鈥 Turner said.
State Senator Kemp Hannon and Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal say their proposed law would do that, while protecting people鈥檚 safety by barring servers from petting dogs and banning dogs from the furniture, among other provisions.
The lawmakers, who don鈥檛 have dogs, stress that restaurants could decide whether and how to host Fido outdoors. Options could include special sections.
Restaurateurs are generally supportive, state restaurant association President Melissa Fleishschut says.
Albany pub manager Tess Collins would welcome having permission for patio dogs, since many patrons already bring them along. 鈥淚t鈥檚 created a camaraderie鈥 among customers, she says.
But the idea gives some New Yorkers pause. 鈥淲ho wants somebody鈥檚 dog next to them, begging, when they鈥檙e trying to eat?鈥 said Erik Galloway, of Shoreham, on Long Island.
He likes dogs generally but notes diners can鈥檛 be sure how healthy another patron鈥檚 dog is.
The state Association of County Health Officials voted Friday to oppose the measure, amid concerns including cleanliness and bites.
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