Bíonn fáilte agus fiche roimh chuireadh gan iarraidh.

There is great welcome in an unrequested invitation.

 

 

 

 

Florida Americans debate 'Doggy Dining'
Doggy dining decision fills Sarasota's plate
By CAROL E. LEE


SARASOTA -- All those other city issues -- the budget, the city manager search, affordable housing? They have nothing on doggy dining.

Tonight, the city commissioners are scheduled to vote on whether to allow dogs to eat right next to their owners in certain outside areas of restaurants. In the weeks leading up to the decision, residents have bombarded commissioners with more e-mails and suggestions than they have on just about any other issue in recent months.

Most of the comments have been pleas for mealtime with a species that does not even eat with its hands.

One resident has talked about bringing dogs to City Hall this evening for "show and tell" at the public hearing about the issue.

"I am moving on Monday. This is so important, I would slip away from my movers to be there," Kimberly Colgate wrote to a commissioner.

Sarasota County commissioners passed a so-called "doggy dining" law a month ago. Businesses have to obtain a $150 permit, and the rule only applies to those in the unincorporated county.

The overwhelming response from city residents has mostly been in support of it.

"We eat out a lot more when we can take our dog to an outside location," wrote the owners of "Dooley," an Irish wolfhound. "Please approve this legislation."

But there are some people who find the idea tasteless.

"We are VERY opposed to any efforts to allow dogs to be in the proximity of diners," wrote Julie and Barry Harris. "Dogs belong at home. Too many people are afraid of dogs, have allergies or just consider the idea repulsive."

Some businesses already look the other way when a patron accompanied by a four-legged pet requests a seat outside.

Making it official would help small businesses, Betsy Nelson, the CEO of Metro Coffee & Wine, wrote to commissioners.

"My business will be increased by the ability of customers to walk their dogs to METRO & sit for coffee or lunch or dinner," she wrote.

Doggy dining has been on pet owners' minds since the state passed a law last year allowing local governments to decide for themselves whether to let people bring their dogs to restaurants.

Residents can sound off about it during the evening session of the commission's meeting at City Hall, which begins at 6.

Sorry, no dogs allowed.

 

STAFF PHOTO / ED PFUELLER
Siberian husky Mr. Bill laps up butter leftovers from owner Rai Banicki, while having breakfast with Joan Campbell and her Shih Tzu Maggie, center, and Bert Campbell, right, outside Pastry Art on Main Street in Sarasota on Saturday

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20070618/NEWS/706180457

carol.lee@heraldtribune.com