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Doggies dine out ahead of law

Some area animal lovers say they didn't know it was illegal for dogs to be in outdoor dining areas. Soon, that could change.

By ALDO NAHED
Published June 12, 2006

TAMPA - Teresa Ross strolls her 7-year-old black Lab to Harbour Island's Cafe Dufrain for a gourmet dinner in the patio area. Scout enjoys milk bones and a water bowl.

Little do they know - they're breaking the law.

But if the state's so-called "doggie dining" bill, signed into law last week by Gov. Jeb Bush, is approved locally, dog owners, like Ross, can begin to chow alfresco at ease.

Part of a three-year pilot program, the bill lets local governments exempt restaurants with outdoor seating from rules against dogs.

The bill goes live on July 1, but before restaurants can ask for permission to allow dogs, the local government must adopt the new rule.

Both Hillsborough and Pinellas county commissioners say the issue is far off their priority list.

"Unless there's a movement of some sort," said Hillsborough Commissioner Ken Hagan, "I can't see it in our radar right now."

Cafe Dufrain owner Ferrell Bonnemort said she would seek an exemption for dogs. The restaurant has four tables set aside for canine dining.

"We like to cater to our dogs in the front patio, as long as they're on leashes,'' she said.

Florida dining regulations prevent all dogs except service animals from joining patrons at outdoor tables, but only in the last few years have regulators cracked down.

Many restaurant owners with outdoor seating have already built a loyal clientele of dog owners. A handful said they weren't aware of a $1,000 fine per violation for letting canines in.

It just makes sense to allow dogs outdoors, said Java & Cream owner Dennis Cavanaugh.

"As long as they don't come inside," he said. "After years of nobody saying anything to me about it, I assumed that we weren't breaking any law."

A spokeswoman for the state Department of Business and Professional Regulation said they only enforce what they see. They cite a restaurant if they encounter dogs in the seating area while doing an inspection.

"Enforcement is not sporadic," said spokeswoman Meg Shannon. "We do unannounced inspections of restaurants."

No separate statistics were available on the presence of dogs, because under the agency's rules canines are included in the same category as rodents.

Ross, who owns Milagros, a handmade soap business in Tampa's SoHo district, brings Scout to work everyday. They play tennis three times a week, shop at Pet Supermarket and dine outdoors between strolls.

"I will only go to restaurants that allow me to take my dog," she said. "That's how I pick my restaurants."

Pinellas County's Whistle Stop Grill on Main Street in Safety Harbor has a welcome mat for well-behaved pooches on leashes.

The menu even features "doggie ice cream,'' a scoop of vanilla with a dog biscuit on top.

"A lot of dog people think it's great because apparently not a lot of places allow dogs even outside," said owner Patrick Pendola.

He said the open-air restaurant has a policy prohibiting the staff from touching the dogs.

"I was unaware that dogs weren't allowed,'' he said, adding that he was pleased to hear that it was possible to get a permit. "We would want to make that legal.''

The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association says it is not going to push the bill at a local level, but lobbied in Tallahassee for it to be allowed at the restaurant owner's discretion.

"We made sure that it protected our members with a right to choose if they wanted to participate," said spokeswoman Craigin Mosteller.

Some of the restrictions in the bill:

- Dogs are only allowed in patios, decks, or outdoor sidewalk cafes.

- Employees must wash hands promptly after touching dogs.

- Waterless hand sanitizers have to be provided at every designated table.

- Dogs are to remain on the ground, on leashes, and aren't allowed to eat from plates.

But not everyone is happy with the bill.

Brandon resident Fred Punzo, a biology professor at the University of Tampa, said only guide dogs should be allowed in restaurants. And he wouldn't eat at places that allow dogs, even outside.

Punzo says dogs carry ticks, mites and parasites that can jump onto people. Not to mention fur.

"It's common sense to leave them at home," he said.

On Davis Islands, where dog drinking bowls are built-in with human water fountains, Sara DeBella enjoys an afternoon brew at Yeoman's Road Pub, along with Rosa, her 4-year-old beagle.

Yeoman's Road co-owner Connie Bond said she would definitely be seeking government permission to allow dogs in her outdoor dining area.

"Davis Islands is a very dog friendly island. They treat their dogs like family here,'' she said.

DeBella expressed that very sentiment. "After working eight to 10 hours," she said, "you feel guilty not bringing her out."

Times staff writer Theresa Blackwell contributed to this report, which contains information from the Associated Press. Aldo Nahed can be reached at anahed@sptimes.com or 813 310-0998.

[Last modified June 12, 2006, 12:01:27]