Bill To Ban Dining Dogs Contradicts Pet-Friendly Policies

ACROSS FLORIDA — Tampa's mayoral mutt and official city greeter, Alcaldesa, could find herself on the unemployment line if a Florida House bill is approved during the 2o20 legislative session.

While Florida cities like Tampa and St. Petersburg attempt to create more pet-friendly environments, House Bill 243 threatens to thwart those efforts.

Filed Sept. 1 by Florida Rep. Bruce Antone, a Democrat from Orlando, HB 243 would prohibit dogs in restaurants, bars and lounges. While non-service dogs are already prohibited in places that serve food, Antone's law would establish a website for complaints against those who violate the law, require restaurants to post signs prohibiting dogs at every entrance and would outline penalties for those who violate the law.

While the bill duplicates existing law and won't affect restaurants that have obtained legal permits to allow dogs on dining patios, those trying to promote Florida as a pet-friendly state say it sends a contradictory message.

The bill comes at a time when Florida cities are attempting to grab a bigger piece of the $75 billion that pet owners spend on their four-legged family lovers each year.

This year, St. Petersburg rolled out the Mayor's Pet-Friendly Business Directory listing pet-friendly restaurants, dog parks, pet services and hotels for those wishing to patronize pet-friendly businesses.

Those efforts were recognized nationally in June when St. Petersburg was awarded the 2019 Better Cities for Pets Award from the U.S. Conference of Mayors and Better Cities for Pets. The award included a $30,000 grant for additional pet-friendly initiatives.

St. Petersburg is one of only 31 cities across the nation that have been certified Better Cities for Pets. Four other Florida cities -- Key West, Miami, Hallandale Beach and Port St. Lucie -- have also been certified.

On the other side of the bay, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor earned the approval of pet lovers when she adopted a mixed breed dog from the Humane Society of Tampa Bay in September. Alcaldesa accompanies the mayor to work each day and often tags along with her busy pet parent at mayoral events.

The acceptance of pets in Tampa's workplaces was among the reasons Tampa was named third most pet-friendly city in the country in 2019 by WalletHub, the personal finance website.

While dog parks, dog-focused events and dog-friendly living spaces make sense for the 47 percent of the population in America who own at least one dog, according to the Humane Society, not everyone is receptive to dining with dogs.

In a survey by VetStreet, 39 percent of 1,500 people surveyed said dogs shouldn't be allowed in indoor or outdoor areas where food is served while 34 percent said they should and 27 percent were neutral.

Objections included the possibility of the dog having an accident while people are dining, the spread of germs and causing irritation to those who are allergic to dog dander.

Antone said he was spurred to sponsor the House bill after spotting a dog in a bar where he was dining.

His bill calls for prohibiting non-service animals from entering or walking through restaurants, cafés and bars. Additionally, it would establish penalties for people who try to pass off their pets as service animals so they can bring them into food-related businesses. Service animals are permitted inside restaurants under the Americans With Disabilities Act.

While House Bill 243 upholds current law regarding dogs in restaurants and wouldn't supersede any ordinance or regulation passed by counties and cities in Florida that allow dogs on dining patios, tourism officials say it goes against ongoing efforts to market Florida as a pet-friendly state.

In 2006, Florida was one of the first states to enact a law allowing restaurants to apply for a permit to allow dogs in the outdoor dining space.

Since then, 10 other states have passed similar laws including California, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island and Tennessee.

Florida's law requires that staff wash after touching pets, patrons keep dogs on leashes and under control, dogs remain off chairs, tables and other furnishings, restaurants post signs that list the rules for employees and patrons, and a cleanup station be set up in the outdoor dining area.

Pet advocates say those restrictions along with existing laws forbidding pets in restaurants are sufficient to address any concerns about the health and safety of the public.

See related stories:

Tampa Ranks 3rd In Country For Pet Friendliness

St. Petersburg Launches Pet-Friendly Initiative -- St. Pete PAWS