LANSING (WKZO-AM) –Right now, it’s forbidden by state law to take your dog to dinner at a public restaurant.
The reasons are obvious. If you are cutting into a steak, you don’t want a sad-eyed labrador drooling on your shoes. Or worse, a doberman staring intently at your fork.
The Michigan Senate has approved a bill sponsored by Margaret O’Brien, R-Portage, that would allow Rover to eat out, but only on patios and only if the restaurant is prepared for hygienic interventions should the dog have an accident.
It would leave the decision for enforcement to local government.
O’Brien said there are more pet-friendly places opening all over. Many campgrounds and motels now allow pets and a number of new dog parks have been opened in communities. But right now, opportunities to chow down with your chihuahua or break bread with your beagle are limited outside the home.
The bill was approved on a 32-4 vote in the Senate, but don’t go making reservations for your retreiver just yet. It still has to work its way through the House and do it by the end of the year to become law.
