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Hungry pooches are still stuck at home

By CRISTINA SILVA
Published January 23, 2007

Jennifer Miler is a self-professed dog lover. Her four pooches regularly accompany her as she runs errands downtown. And if they get hungry, she stops for a quick snack at Starbucks or Panera Bread on the way home.

Eating out with her pets is a luxury Miler said she thought would become more commonplace. But despite a recent state ordinance that allows dogs to eat at outdoor restaurants, finding a place to break bread with her animals can still be tricky.

Since the state Legislature approved the measure in June, only two cities in Pinellas County have adopted the "doggie dining bill." In St. Petersburg, one of the first cities in the state to approve the practice, only three restaurants have applied for a permit to serve canines. One of the restaurants, though, has stopped serving pets after several customers complained.

In St. Pete Beach, which went dog friendly in August, no restaurants have applied for a permit. The Gulfport City Council is working on an ordinance that would allow dogs to dine out with their owners.

For pooch lovers, the tepid response to the dog dining ordinance is just another sign of what they consider the area's canine indifference.

To an outsider, the greater St. Petersburg area might seem like an ideal dog-friendly spot. It has a large population with disposable income and enough couples and singles without children, yet pooch owners and national pet travel guides say the region has remained impartial. Many beaches and public parks require dogs to be on leashes at all times, if they are allowed at all. Pet owners say they are forced to sneak their pets into restaurants and stores in big purses.

"St. Pete is not a particularly unfriendly dog place. It's more neutral," said Len Kain, co-founder of DogFriendly.com, a travel site for dog owners based in Pollock Pines, Calif. "We are seeing an increase of dog-friendly places, but it is a gradual change."

Miler, the owner of Doggone Purrfect Pet Care in St. Petersburg, said she had hoped the doggie dining ordinance would convince critics that canines can behave in mixed company.

"If children are allowed in restaurants, then our dogs should be, too," she said. "I know everyone doesn't feel that way, but as long as the dogs behave, everyone should get along. It is just going to take a while for the nondog people to sort of get it that they can still go to those restaurants, too."

State law prohibits animals from eating at restaurants, but the doggie bill gives local governments the authority to allow the practice as long as restaurateurs apply for a permit and agree to a series of strict requirements, including providing hand sanitizers at tables in areas where dogs are allowed and keeping a cleanup kit on hand in case of a bathroom accident. Dogs must remain on a leash at all times and cannot sit at the table with their owners. Fido gets the floor.

Moon Under Water, Bella Brava and Cafe Alma, all in downtown St. Petersburg, applied for a permit. Moon Under Water, a popular option for pet owners because of its proximity to several parks, started turning away dogs two weeks ago after several customers complained that dining al fresco shouldn't come with a side of pooch.

The long list of restrictions restaurants must follow can also be a turnoff, even for establishments long considered dog friendly.

St. Petersburg city development services director Julie Weston said she never expected many restaurants to apply for a permit.

"The regulations are very onerous on the restaurants," she said. "There are a lot of very specific things to follow."

At Bella Brava, co-owner Dyce Craig said he has received no complaints since receiving the dog dining permit in October.

His staff provides water bowls and dog biscuits. Customers who ask to sit away from the animals can dine inside or in the restaurant's small balcony on the second level.

"People will sit out with their dogs and have a martini after work, or some people stop by late for a quick pizza," he said. "It is usually a very casual thing."

Gulfport residents pushing for doggie dining hope the idea will get a better reception in their city because of its small size.

"Gulfport people are different," said Lynda Shehan, who is known as the "chihuahua lady" to her neighbors because of her three small pets. "They are more laid back, and a lot of people are single like me or they are retired and their children are gone, and our pets are part of our family."

Cristina Silva can be reached at 727 893-8846 or csilva@sptimes.com.

[Last modified January 23, 2007, 08:13:32]