USA Today:

Maryland is considering a bill that would allow dogs to accompany their owners to restaurant patios and sidewalks for a meal, according to Baltimore Sunwriter Jill Rosen.

If passed, the law would take effect in October. Florida, California and Minnesota already have similar laws in place. Currently, allowing dogs to accompany restaurant patrons, whether it be indoors or outdoors, is illegal. Restaurants who ignore the rule can be fined.

It is difficult to find restaurants in Virginia that welcome dogs on leashes for outdoor dining areas.  Should Virginia have a similar law?  How many dog walkers can’t stop for a meal or drink because they are walking their dog?  How many people would like to dine OUTSIDE with their dog?  Why would anyone care outside?  How many people find traveling with your dog almost impossible because of unavailable restaurants and lodging?

Opinions please. 

25 Thoughts to “Paw Print Restaurants May be Coming to Maryland”

  1. Cindy B

    When I was on the neighborhood bus tour in Roanoke in Old Southwest last fall the guide pointed out that the Wildflour Restaurant & Bakery, which has sidewalk tables, was a place where neighbors felt comfortable taking their dogs with them while they sat to eat. They also have a dog park in the neighborhood. Maybe Roanoke City has a law…or neighbors ignore it. Plenty of people ignore the law and bring their dogs to the farmers market in Old Town.

    We have dogs who are being trained by Blue Ridge Assistance Dogs attend our church services and were guests of honor at spaghetti dinner fundraiser in our parish hall. They are the best dogs ever!

  2. Pat.Herve

    NO – I have a dog, I love my dog, I take my dog to Long Park – my dog does not belong in a restaurant – it is bad enough when I have to deal with misbehaving children, whom the parents ignore – I do not want to have to sit in a restaurant having a dog jump and bark at every movement, beg at my table, or slobber on my hand. And, some dogs just do not get along.

  3. BoyThreeOne

    Dogs are allowed to sit in outdoor areas in NYC. I had a dog for 14 years that went everywhere with me, including to eat at restaurants. The dogs aren’t allowed inside. And they have to be leashed. They don’t roam around begging from other tables. And people who have difficult or aggressive dogs generally don’t bring them.

    My new dog hasn’t been to a restaurant yet, but he goes to church. My church has about 6 dogs who attend on a regular basis. My pastor has a dog, a miniature poodle named Lily. Lily is at every service. The church dogs are all well-behaved and are important to the community. They are loving, healing presences.

  4. Censored bybvbl

    One day I hope the West Virginia Screamer will be trained well enough that she’ll be socially acceptable but for now her begging will be confined to our dining room table. I don’t mind well-behaved dogs at outdoor tables. In fact, some dogs are better behaved than their kiddo counterparts.

  5. Pat, I usually agree with you but not today. I don’t want dogs running lose or off a leash or inside. But I like a place where I can take my dog outside. Dogs are often better behaved than some ADULTs in places.

  6. punchak

    Do people forget that dogs are animals – you know – not humans?

    I can’t understand why anybody would want to have a dog sit by the table
    when going out to eat. Do you suppose the dog enjoys it? All those delicious aromas wafting past his sensitive nose and he just has to sit there. Almost cruel.

    Of course, it wouldn’t surprise me if the owner would order a la carte for his darling to be served, I would hope, on the floor.

    Would cats on leashes be acceptable?

  7. Lafayette

    I don’t like seeing dogs at the Farmers’ Market and it’s agains a Va. Health Dept. Code. Some tried to turn a blind eye to them. The no signs, because they went missing, and they finally got some new ones half way through last season. Therefore, I most definatley don’t want to see them where I’m eating. The state dosen’t allowing smoking in eating establishments anymore, so why should dogs be allowed to eat with people. No dogs on the streets while others eat. PERIOD.

  8. Censored bybvbl

    @punchak
    I once saw a calm Siamese cat walking on a leash amid a crowd at Wolf Trap.

  9. @punchak

    Most people don’t walk cats in areas where there are bistros.

    My friend Dee used to take her dog to Chilis and order for him off the menu. He usually got a kiddie cheeseberger and fries. Boomer loved going out with his family. He didn’t think it was cruel.

    I don’t want to eat with a dog inside. That’s different and I can’t tell you why.

  10. Ah, I knew I would start a good dog war with this one.

    Lafayette, the dogs won’t be smoking. 😈

    I like seeing dogs at the farmers market. That is the only reason I used to enjoy going. I would just as soon have dogs around the food as some of the people I have seen and some of the unruly kids. Plus the food gets washed.

  11. Censored bybvbl

    I wonder how Merrifield Garden Center handles dogs inside. They used to be (and may still be) able to go anywhere inside. Now they have a cafe indoors. I wonder if the dogs are still allowed inside. (I know I would think twice about sitting on the benches within the dog park area because they’re a favorite target for male dogs.)

    1. Yes, dogs can still go in Merrifield on a leash. They are welcome. There is still a pet section in the central part back on the right.

  12. punchak

    Censored bybvbl :@punchak I once saw a calm Siamese cat walking on a leash amid a crowd at Wolf Trap.

    Were they putting on “The King and I” by any chance?

  13. Censored bybvbl

    @punchak
    Lol. Actually it was one of the first folk festivals in the 70s when you still wandered around the grounds to hear different groups. I remember that the smell of marijuana lingered in the air. It was the early seventies after all. The Mardi Gras Indians were there too.

  14. BoyThreeOne

    Dogs make life better. I’m happier every time one is around. I’ve never gotten ill from being around one, eating or not. Cats make life better too. I’ve seen cats on leashes and cats in wagons and a cat sitting straight up on the top of a man’s head as he walked down the street. I share my home with a girlfriend and a dog and a cat and am not at all ashamed for loving the heck out of all of them. We take our dog where ever he’s allowed to go, and his choice is ALWAYS to come along. No one around us has ever complained that he’s there. On the contrary, people swarm us to fawn over him. Our cat likes to stay at home.

  15. BTO, what kind of dog do you have? I* love my dogs too but I have to confess that I am not too much of a cat person. I had a wonderful cat for 20 years but I probably wouldn’t get another one. Never say never though.

  16. BoyThreeOne

    He’s a Jack Russell mix. Jim. We’ve only had him for 4 months. He’s adopted and is 6 years old. My cat was a stray kitten who lived in the courtyard of my building. He got stuck on someone’s windowsill on the 6th floor and I got him down, so I had to keep him. He’s 2 now. Wonderboy. I like dogs and cats in different ways.

    What dogs do you have?

  17. I have a miniature dachshund, a crazy schnauzer, and a boston terrier.

  18. Bubberella

    I have two mutts and I’m certain that they would behave themselves at an outdoor bistro. But among the first commands they learned is “out of the kitchen” during meals. They can sit on the sofa with me, but not at the table.

  19. Bubberella

    I used to have a big orange tabby who would sit on the driver’s side back of the bench seat in my 53 Plymouth — like a fuzzy orange headrest.

  20. Emma

    I hope there are plenty of dog owners who will support such a restaurant, because I would not. Just like kids, dogs don’t belong everywhere, and not all of them are well-behaved. And the first time I see a food server pet someone’s dog, I’m outta there.

  21. Wolverine

    Once sat through a meeting which was about a hour long.. The lady sitting next to me was blind. It was not until the end of the meeting, when I pushed back my chair, that I realized that I had spent the entire hour with a large black Lab seeing-eye dog right at my feet. The dog never made a sound or even moved for the entire hour. Amazing animals.

  22. Red Dawn

    I support it. It is outside dining and I wouldn’t feel so bad asking for a doggie bag 😉

  23. Emma I have never seen someone do that. (reach down and pet a dog). However, that’s how I feel about people with nose studs. I don’t want them waiting on me.

  24. BoyThreeOne

    @Bubberella
    That’s a great image.

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