New legislation in the city permits dogs to be with their owners at outside tables at restaurants. However, the permission is only granted in certain wards.
Personally, I enjoy seeing friendly dogs in public and have no problem with well-behaved dogs joining their owners at sidewalk cafes. The concept fits with our inherited French culture.
The question I have is why the permission is only granted in certain wards? Like deciding whether to operate a smoking or non-smoking restaurant, shouldn't it be up to the owner of the restaurant whether dogs are allowed?
Then, as customers, we can decide whether we want to patronize the establishment or not. If my customers don't want dogs at the restaurant, then I probably won't be inviting them to dinner.
However, if my customers want to share their space with doggie diners, then why should the city tell me "no", if they tell my competitors across the street in a different ward they may do so?
3 comments:
I agree, but the reality of the legislative body is that passage requires at least 15 votes.
I'd rather see this imperfect bill pass than watch a perfect bill fail.
And why not in the 12th ward? This alderman caters to the old folks who vote and not the younger people moving into and investing in the neighborhood.
Several aldermen asked to opt-out of the "doggie dining" bill.
In the 1st, 2nd,3rd, 12th, 18th, 27th and 21st wards, dogs are still not allowed in outdoor dining areas.
Some aldermen, knowing their wards contain few if any outdoor dining areas, believe they will not be negatively affected by opting out. The common sentiment seemed to be a disfavor towards dining with canine companions.
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