Can this be combined with other Florida legistation and allow people to shoot dogs that are threatening them?

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The Starbucks near me now has a sign saying that due to California law you can't have your dog with you if you sit under one of the umbrellas outside. Have to say thay ticked me off.

I'm for personal responsibility, if your dog makes a mess that you don't clean up, I'm all for a $1000 fine. But instead we have laws that treat a terrier on your lap like a Rottweiller peeing on your leg.

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Mike,
Even if you own a Rotweiller it shouldn't make a difference. A dog is a dog. You almost make it sound as if you think people with smaller lap-dogs should be treated different that people with larger breeds. I hope I was just mis-reading...

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A dog isn't a dog. There should be different rules regarding dogs, generally based on size. If you can pick up and carry your great dane while wandering through a store I'm sure it would be as welcome as someone carrying a little dog.

I take my dog all over the place and take great care to ensure she doesn't intrude on people. I can do that better because I can pick her up and carry her through a crowd, or just to keep people walking past from tripping if she would move a foot or two into their path. Trained or not, when in a crowd in public you're able to control a smaller dog more so than a larger dog.

I have no idea how or if any of this comes into play when someone decided that dogs at outdoor tables at Starbucks was something to be made illegal. If there were any vald complaint from anyone I'd be willing to bet it was caused by people not controlling their dogs, ruining it for the rest of us.

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I am allergic to dogs of all sizes, and don't appreciate people toting theirs around in retail stores. But there's no good reason they shouldn't be allowed outdoors at coffee shops. As for restaurants, I don't think I'd like to be sneezing while trying to eat.

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I'm also very allergic to dogs and I'm glad that I don't live in Florida.

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How about my daughter's cats? What about pet horses or calves or lambs?

There are well established health reasons for not allowing animals of any kind in food establishments.

No way would I ever patronize a restaurant that allowed dogs inside or out!

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I do live in Florida and am looking forward to having the "okay" to bring my "dogs". (yes, that's plural as in DOGS) to restaurants. My 3 dogs are small dogs and are very well mannered in public and at home and behave much better and are much cleaner than most children I see at restaurants. At least dogs don't spread "germs" like children do, are not as obnoxious and rude and we are much less likely to catch anything from a dog except a few licks and a smile.

Dogs today are much more than dogs to people. They are companions, furry children and much needed friends and assistants to many, including single people, new couples, retired folks, the handicapped and just plain old dog lovers!

My dogs go to lunch now (outdoors of course) with my husband and myself and sit in their chairs and never bother anything or anyone. People always comment on how well behaved they are and approach them. I love the fact that they are welcome and loved and I can share them with others. BUT - my dogs are trained and very well socialized. Owners must put the time in with their dogs if they want them to be accepted in social environments like restaurants. It is acting as a responsible pet parent and respecting the space of others around you.

I would rather see "children" banned from restaurants!

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I find it interesting how horrible you speak of children.

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I am all for it! As long as the dogs are well behaved, and their owners don't allow them to urinate or defacate there and clean up after them, why shouldn't it be allowed? I'd much prefer to sit next to a table with a dog than one with a smoker!

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As I have very large dogs, one weighs almost 200 pounds, I still don't want to see animals of any kind in retail establishments or food establishments. Having dealt with the industry and the legal fields, I know what can come of this issue. I don't doubt that some or maybe a tremendous number of individuals take care of their animals.

The facts are, not everyone is responsible about their ownership of animals. Florida has a huge parvo problem. Personally, I don't want to wrry about every place I go is infected with such a virus for me to give to my animals in my home. Not everyone vaccinates. Why should I be subjected to a bite with a possibility of tetanus or rabies? Or, look at the non-bite, non body function issues. Fleas, Ticks, Lice, Mites, Toxocara Eggs carrying mange, all are problematic. Each of the aforementioned could be transmitted to your pet or family member.

Now look at the actual liability. I have seen large dogs, not my own, leave tremendous pucture wounds on a human. I have seen little dogs take of nice size chunks of flesh. I myself was bit by a 25 pound dog that just got a little "freaked". My checst had extensive damage, as I was sitting on the ground, and a huge scar under my lower lip and down my chin.

No matter how well trained an animal is, and I love mine with all my heart, they are not always predictable. That is why they are "animals". It is irresponsible of a pet owner to believe that they "just know" or that a "little dog" is different then a "large dog". Myabe one part is right, I see more plastic surgery being required of small dog bites then I do large dog bites. None of which are okay.

I certainly won't frequent an establishment that allows pets to frequent their establishment. A service animal is a requirement for a disability, a household pet is not. If your dog is not well enough behaved to be left in the family homestead, I certainly don't want "fluffy" or "skippy" sitting next to me in an establishment I either went to relax over coffee, have a meal, or shop for gifts.

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If a school kid shoots another kid at school, should the principal/school/town be responsible?? Hell no! It's the parents fault. Sue/dicipline the parents. Should we stop group schooling because of a few bad apples? No! Majority of those that bring their dog to the outside pub/bar/coffee shop know that their dog will behave. Dont penalize the resturant/bar owner. Those that are idiots and bring their dog that is not socialized properly and try to bring it to a sidewalk cafe or a riverfront grill & bar and it attacks someone should be held 100% accountable and seriously penalized.
Are all 16 yr old kids mature enough to drive? Umm, no! So we dont penalize all 16 and 17 yr olds and say the new driving age is 18. We shouldnt penalize the masses over a few idiots.

In most if not all states, if you want to hurl your 3000lb SUV 70mph down the highway, you better have insurance to cover property and bodily damage. I believe the same should be said of pet owners wanting to take their animals out in public. Set up a system to make owners get a license after showing up-to-date vet shots and proof of liability insurance covering dog attacks. Then any resturant/bar/town fair, ect can request to see the license before entering. I own an 85lb Yellow Lab and take him everywhere I can get away with. Seeing the joy on kids faces as they pet and tug on his ears is priceless.
I look forward to this Florida law and hope resturant/bar owners take advantage of it.

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Even Still, as the wife of a school teacher and in the legal field, a business is typically held responsible for the reasonable forseeable and preventable issues that occur on their premisis. Whether you feel a "parent/owner" should be punished is irrelevant. When the animal snaps, for example, at a small child, are you goingto sue neighbor Joe who has zero money? No, you want your child's nose put back on, and face repaired. So, you go after the people who "should have" looked out for the safety and welfare of their patrons.

It may not be fair, but that is the cold hard fact of life. There is no "fairsies" in reality. A child horribly disfigured b/c a dog got freaked by another dog two seats down, and just happens to catch a child int he cross fire is not something that Juries take kindly to.

Schools take reasonable precautions to be proactive in the prevention of the "arming of students". Insurance comapnies and the DMV do what they can. (Besides, read the motorist laws in your area to get a true clue about responsibility.)

I appreciate the animals. I understand that some people believe their animals are human. If you are comfortable with all the "ideas", open a seperate dog friendly place, don't change any of the already existing establishments. Furthermore, remember that you could be between the dog that accidentally rolled in the neighborhood skunk (it happened to me at a park) and the pitbull who you are reassured is just "smiling". (No, I don't think pitbulls are bad dogs.) Now you may be required to keep the dog on a leash, but are you saying that the child running through the patio tables playing tag must also be on a leash? Or are you going to stand up, when that child gets a chunk of his face torn off as he scares a dog by falling on it, and chastize that parent to be "more responsible"? Are you going to follow that comment with "hope you can pay for it"?

It is not fair, it is reality. I would believe that although the dog may be well trained, I have not met many that can sit next to a cat with no problems. Wouldn't you forsee the law to allow all domesticated animals on a leash? Dogs, cats, ferrets, skunks, just a thought!

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Dogs are not people and have no reason to be in a restaurant. I like dogs but have never understood why some people feel the need to bring even LARGE dogs to gatherings at peoples houses where the dog "does not live" and then insist on having it run wild licking your face attempting to eat your food and causing trouble with the other dog somebody decided everybody would enjoy. I have yet to see a dog that can resist everything (food) outside of the ones that assist some handicap people. The rest are prone to eat what is available, attempt to get attention from others, fight for territory with other dogs(who might just happen to come to the same restaurant and sit two feet away) and pee when the need arises.

If I was sitting in a restaurant and somebody came in with a dog and sat anywhere near me I think I would object. That is an animal and unless they depended on that animal for their needs such as a blind person, that animal has no place in a restaurant.

I don't enjoy sitting next to a crying child, however my wife is not allergic to bad children, and I don't often see children peeing on the nearest plant or trying to bit the arm off the kid at the next table.

Please do not try to tell me dogs don't do these things. Every time I attend an event, BBQ, house warming, ect. where more then one person brings a dog for everybody to enjoy, there has not been at least one incident between the animals. This is just accepted as good clean fun. IT is NOT FUN FOR ME! I live in a condo full of dogs of all sizes. they escape from the owners, they get spirited and decide they will not come back. They BARK, they fight, and they jump on the others in this building.

This boils down to this. If a person can bring in a good dog and which everybody claims to have, people can also bring in the dog that is ready to eat every steak that leaves the kitchen, slobers all over the place, is tall enough to eat off the table without effort, can and will challenge you for your meal, has no trouble using your salad plate as the toy you can't get back from him, does not seem to understand that his tale can knock a child over and positions his rear end three inches from your dinner, uses the leg of your chair as a chew bone. decides to take the neighbors camera bag as a trophy that you will not get back and realizes that the place has not been properly marked his territory. Sorry this is not my idea of dinning out!

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What about bringing my cat?

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RIDICULOUS - Why not install outdoor toilets for them to drink out of while ur at it! Maybe screaming kids could entertain themselves as well.

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My first post didn't go through. Anyway, I think this legislation would be ridiculous if it went through. Goodness forbid that we non-dog-owners can eat in peace.

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I find it incredible to believe that any restaurant owner in his or her right mind would allow this, regardless of legislation. Goodness forbid that we can eat in peace. We wouldn't want *that* now, would we? When will everyone learn that dogs are not people?

The following web page might be a bit harsh, but it gives dog lovers several reasons why they shouldn't even own dogs to begin with, let alone bringing them into restaurants.

http://www.geocities.com/dogsarenotpeople

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I'd much rather seen children banned from restaurants as well. I think you should have the choice, sort of like smoking or nonsmoking. I don't subject you to my smoke, why should I be subjected to your child screaming and throwing a temper tantrum in public. If the child is well behaved, such as the dog, then maybe both can be allowed in restaurants.

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This is all Paris Hilton's fault. This is just stupid. Keep your effin dog at home people. Especially all you Bocans from Boca Raton.

It is just sad you don't realize how stupid you look trottin little fido around in your baby carriages. Get a G-Dam life!

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