Dining Dogs May Lose Outlaw Status

Alderwoman Lyda Krewson has introduced legislation at the St. Louis Board Aldermen that would permit restaurant owners to allow well-behaved dogs in outdoor dining areas. The practice is currently illegal (though, common in some places) throughout the state.

Here’s the bill:

A food service establishment may permit a customer to be accompanied by a dog in an outdoor dining area if:

•The food service establishment posts a sign in a conspicuous location stating that dogs are allowed in the outdoor dining area;
•The customer and the dog access the outdoor dining area directly from the exterior of the food service establishment;
•The dog does not enter the interior of the food service establishment;
•The customer keeps the dog on a leash and controls the dog;
•The customer does not allow the dog on a seat, table, countertop, or similar surface; and
•In the outdoor dining area, the food service establishment does not prepare food; or permit open food, except for food that is being served to a customer.