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St. Petersburg may let Fido sit, stay for a meal

Mayor Rick Baker wants his city to be among the first in Florida to allow dogs to join their owners in restaurants’ outdoor seating areas.

By SHADI RAHIMI
Published July 5, 2006

ST. PETERSBURG — The city hopes to become among the first in the state to adopt an ordinance allowing dogs to sit outdoors at restaurants.

Mayor Rick Baker plans to ask the City Council today to consider adopting a “doggie dining” ordinance. Gov. Jeb Bush signed a bill into law June 2  that allows such an ordinance.

Baker said he knew of no Florida cities that have adopted an ordinance like that.

“St. Petersburg is a boom town in a lot of ways, but it is also a very family-oriented city,” Baker said at a news conference Wednesday.

Adopting the doggie dining ordinance, along with adding playgrounds and dog parks, would be another step toward making the city “one of the most family-friendly” in the state, Baker said.

The city has added five dog parks in the past four years, Baker said. He said the opening of a dog park at Crescent Lake Park in 2001 drew 200 people and their dogs.

“People love their pets,” he said.

At Crescent Lake Park Wednesday afternoon, dog owner Kate Cavalcante, 38, said the dog park still needs work -— gravel instead of dirt -— but the idea of a doggie dining ordinance is wonderful.

“We would be like Europe,” Cavalcante, who lives near the park, said as she walked her pit bullterrier, Mickey, and dachshund-mix, Lonie.

Cavalcante said she leaves her dogs home when she goes out to eat.

Some restaurants got an early start on the state law, already permitting dogs in their outdoor seating areas, Baker said, though state law didn’t allow it.

If the ordinance passes, Baker said, restaurant owners who want to allow dogs have to apply for a city permit.

They would have to abide by certain requirements, including ensuring that all tables, chairs and floors be cleaned and sanitized between uses.

The city would be required to monitor permit holders, Baker said.

Etiquette for Doggie Dining

If the ordinance passes, restaurants wanting to participate must apply for a permit and follow these rules:

- Dogs must be leashed and kept out of the indoor areas of the restaurant.n Dogs must stay away from dishes, utensils and tableware and stay off chairs and tables.n Restaurant employees must wash hands after any contact with a dog.

- Table and chair surfaces and any spillage must be cleaned and sanitized between seatings .

- Dog waste must be cleaned up immediately and the area sanitized. 

[Last modified July 5, 2006, 22:33:11]