Doggie Dining in Dallas

In early 2007, the Dallas City Council passed a variance to state law allowing restaurants to obtain permits to let them welcome dogs onto their outdoor patios. But restaurateurs have complained that the policy is too restrictive, so this week the council voted to ammend to the city ordinance in hopes of making the law friendlier to both restaurants wanting to welcome pooches to their patios, and the people who choose to bring their pets.

Currently, the measure states that Dallas restaurants must:

• Provide a separate entrance to the outside of the restaurant to the outdoor patio.
• Post a "dog-friendly restaurant" sign at the front entrance.
• Install "air curtains" to separate the patio from the restaurant's interior.
• Prohibit food preparation, including mixing drinks or serving ice, in the patio area.
• Clean the patio every 30 minutes with animal-friendly chemicals whenever a dog is present.
• Prevent wait staff or other food handlers from petting or otherwise making contact with dogs.
• Ensure that dogs are wearing collars with current rabies tags and remain on a leash.
• Bar dogs from sitting or standing on restaurant seats, tables or countertops, or from having contact with dishes or utensils.

This week, the council admitted the requirements were flawed and amended the ordinance to require restaurants to:

• Install a "self-closing device" on each door that provides access to the patio.
• Keep dogs at least 7 feet from any door accessing the restaurant, except when entering or exiting the patio.
• Maintain a "patio free of visible dog hair, dander and related waste and debris."
• Hose or mop the patio with animal-friendly chemicals every six hours, or before each shift, when a dog has been present.
• Prohibit the feeding of dogs.

Source: Dave Levinthal, Dallas City Hall Blog