Doggies Can Now Dine at Some NYC Restaurants

NYC State legislature had passed a law last year that allowed municipalities to dictate their own rules for dogs permitted in the outside dining areas.

According to Mary T. Bassett, the commissioner of the New York City Department of Health, the new rules will allow the diners to bring their pets along to the outside dining area and protect the other patrons as well. "The health and safety of every New Yorker is our priority," added Bassett.

The proposed rule mandated that the restaurants verify the dog paperwork before they are allowed inside the restaurant's outside dining area. Dining with Dogs supporters, however, expressed concern that this limitation will inhibit the number of restaurants who are willing to participate.

Proposed law obliged all the restaurants, that do participate, to create a sign informing all its customers to get their pets vaccinated and licensed before the are allowed to dine in with their dogs. However, according to the new rule, there is no obligation for the restaurant to validate the canine's paperwork. But the restaurants will have to place barriers or other means to control the contact of dogs with other diners and dogs in the outdoor dining.

Further instructions regarding separating dogs from other diners will be rolled out by the health department soon. If there is a dog attack while in the restaurant, the case will be investigated as any other canine bite case. The new rules will be shared in 30 days.

"These proposed regulations are common-sense measures designed to protect the public health while allowing New Yorkers to dine with their dogs," said Assemblywoman Linda B. Rosenthal, who sponsored the new law.