Dogs Are Officially Allowed In New York's Outdoor Bars & Restaurants

[rockin'robin]

Today is OFFICIALLY the greatest day that ever was because now adorable puppies and poochies of all persuasions will be able to join their human companions in outdoor restaurants and bars. This morning, Governor Cuomo signed into law the "Dining with Dogs" bill, sponsored by assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal this spring. The new law ditches the archaic and species-biased ordinance that previously excluded dogs from sharing outdoor space with dining humans. Effective today, any restaurant that wishes may permit pups in their patio, sidewalk or backyard spaces.

Over the summer, the Health Department tried to put the kibosh on the bill, saying it would "create a risk to the health and safety of diners, restaurant workers and other dogs." In Los Angeles, however, which passed a similar bill in 2012, there was "no increase in the number of animal on person incidents or complaints related to dogs in restaurants reported to the LA County Department of Health" according to Rosenthal's team, who were assisted by a California-based animal welfare organization to pass New York's legislation. We reached out to the DOH to see if they had further comment regarding today's momentous mutt victory and we'll update if we hear back.

Since it's only been a few hours since the bill has been signed into law, most restaurants are likely to take some time to decide whether they're fido friendly. But Pamela Blackwell, owner of the vegan Blossom empire, is an early adopter. "As a restaurant owner, animal lover, and lifelong New Yorker, I am thrilled to finally be able to welcome guests AND their animal companions to dine with us," she said in a statement. Luckily—in addition to their delicious cruelty-free fare—they're the largest vegan chain in the city and recently added an additional Union Square location. Fido Approved.

http://gothamist.com/2015/10/27/dogs_have_their_day.php

 

[Jezie]

Hmm... Learn something new every day... I was under the impression that it was legal everywhere that pets could dine in outside sitting areas ... Now I am curious... How many states is/was this illegal in?

 

[whatdidyousay!]

'Not Your Average Joe' will let you tie your dog up outside of their outdoor court but people bring their small dogs in and hide them under their table.
Another restaurant let people bring their right into the court.


This is cool ,I hope it will work out and that people won't abuse it by bringing more than one dogs with them.

 

[dogmom]

wow, lots of happy New Yorkers, I bet! Good news for dog people...as long as people use some common sense.

When I was really working socialization with my dogs as puppies, I'd bring them to outdoor seating areas very commonly and just sit with a pup on my lap<not on the ground>, and LOTS of treats, I didn't usually let unknown dogs meet the\m, but let supervised children and appropriate adults meet them and give them treats so they would associate - new people = treats; this way they also learned about things like trains, carts, wheelchairs, people laughing loudly, moving irregularly, dogs barking in cars etc. I remember going to a local grocery with my husband and my now -adult <but youngest of my two> Rotties. We each took turns holding her and standing against the wall or sitting on one of the outdoor seating benches, and she got to see tons of people and things coming in and out of the store.

 

[Frisky Feline]

its about time!! they keep bringing dogs outside all the time.. same for California!!

 

[Grummer]

wow, lots of happy New Yorkers, I bet! Good news for dog people...as long as people use some common sense

. More like Rich dog people....and in the innner city of NYC (although I never been there, but seen on TV all the time) they're full of well-to-do wealthy people living their 'dream ordinary lives' that is, taking their well-paid-for-dog-trainers-trained-dogs to cafes to show off them....nit soi much 'keeping company' it is, but their REAL motive is like 'this is MINE...my pooch is the best of that breed in the neighbourhood i prove it, she or he sits next to me quitely...well behaved...blah blah blah

to me, they're aren't real dog people, just collectors...posers....

 

[ricas27]

That sound like people who have allergy to animal wanna to have separated room or section like smoking and non-smoking section

 

[Jane B.]

That sound like people who have allergy to animal wanna to have separated room or section like smoking and non-smoking section

Not just allergy but those that don't want to deal with dogs shouldn't have to. Should be easier to separate because they don't float through the air like smoke does (so many places didn't have a different room for smoking but section in same room).