Puppies On The Patio: New Law Would Allow Dogs At Restaurants

COLUMBUS, OH – Dog owners, grab your pooch and leash. The canine cafe is about to open up. A proposed law would allow pet owners to take their dogs restaurants with outdoor patios.

And, just as warm temperatures finally arrive in the Buckeye State, Ohio House members passed the bill on Wednesday and forwarded it to the Ohio Senate for consideration.

The bill, if signed into law in its present form, allows for restaurants to adopt policies that allow canines on an outdoor patio of their establishment. Dogs must be on a non-retractable leash and supervised by a "responsible adult," according to the bill.

The bill prohibits restaurant employees from petting or "intentionally touching" a dog and employees must wash their hands if they do make inadvertent contact with a pooch or clean up after a dog. Restaurants also must have a "sanitary way clean-up kit" with disinfectant, disposable bags, mop and a tool to, well, you know, pick-up poo.

No dogs are allowed within 5 feet of a food preparation area and a sign must be posted at the restaurant signaling that dogs are welcome.

Also, if you have one of those dogs who likes to get crazy when they're out on the town, beware: Dog owners are responsible for the behavior of the dog.

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