Should restaurants allow pets?

Pets in restaurants?

  • Total voters
    18
Lefty

Lefty

Yank
http://gawker.com/5594136/should-restaurants-allow-pets

People get really touchy when it comes to their pets. Those who want their dogs by their sides at all times think restaurants should allow them inside. Others think it's disgusting and annoying. Where do you stand?
More and more restaurants across the country are allowing dogs, both on patios and inside. Or maybe people, like SF Gate's Michael Bauer, are just writing about it. In any case, two's a trend! And people have strong opinions about this one.
http://eater.com
USA Today, somewhat oddly, only spoke to people who were in favor of dogs in restaurants. Some people might call that journalistically lazy! But what do we know, we're just a blog. In any case, the dog-lovin' restaurant owners interviewed said things like, "Even people who don't bring their dogs to the winery appreciate animals and enjoy having them around," and. "We've not had any dogs here that would interfere with the dining experience of people who do not have dogs." It seems highly unlikely that everyone is cool with it, but if they say so.
Meanwhile, over at SF Gate, Michael Bauer doesn't "buy the health implications of having dogs in restaurants," and commenters on his post mention that children (especially diapered babies) can be as dirty, if not dirtier, than dogs. Bauer does point out that having critters underfoot is hazardous, the issue of allergies, and says doesn't believe that "owners with less collegial pets have self-selected out," as yet another USA Today-quoted restaurant owner does. Bauer ends up making the case for "some dog-friendly restaurants," but thinks for the most part, restaurants are better off pet-free.
So, should restaurants cater to canines? Should we consider the allergic and dog-phobic? Does it matter if they're on- or off-leash? Or should we just say to hell with it, ban dogs and babies alike, and post "You Must Be This Tall to Dine" signs in front of restaurants?
 
Sadly, I think most people's dogs aren't well trained enough to be in a restaurant.
Overall, I'd prefer animals not be in restaurants, but if there is outside seating, that would be fine. I also don't mind them in bars and taverns at all.....
as long as I get to go say hello and pet them all! ;)
 
Trained companion dogs for the visually and physically impaired should be the only pets allowed in restaurants. All others need not apply. Keep the pets, their hair and their odors at home.
 
Only if it was just a restaurant for pet owners. So you would know what to expect when you got there. I understand from reading some of the comments that it is not unusual in to see a pet in a restaurant or even more so a pub over in Europe.
 
I love dogs, cats.. all animals.
But, I wouldn't want them to be allowed in restaurants unless as JoeV stated, they serve a special purpose for the owner.

Dogs are allowed at a lot of eateries in Europe.
When I lived in England, it wasn't at all uncommon to see a dog with a fella in a pub, or at a cafe in Paris.
 
Outside seating in a restaurant would be fine with me but not inside. Lately I've seen several people with their dogs (those little, yappy dogs :mrgreen:) in Lowe's (a building supply store). They're either in a big purse or some kind of bag/carrier, and they're always in a cart. That doesn't bother me at all.
 
i voted no, the only exception was as joev stated above.

if we're talking pets in general, then we need to consider birds and reptiles as well. lol, fish and amphibians don't travel well.

if you've ever seen a parrot eat and how often they poop, you wouldn't want them near a table. and i wouldn't think seeing a live mouse ingested by a snake would be appetizing.
 
Nooooooooooooooo! Except for disabled people's service animals.

My neighbor has a very cute dog who HAS to sit with us in my back yard (or else she yelps and cries within earshot). I can't bring out appetizers to share when the dog is there, because she's all over everyone, trying to get a taste. Even if the animals are well-behaved, I don't want to be looking at any pitiful, yearning eyes in restaurants.

BTW, I got a kick out of the blogger who pointed out that children, especially diapered babies, are dirtier than many animals. LOL!

Lee
 
QSis said:
Nooooooooooooooo! Except for disabled people's service animals.

My neighbor has a very cute dog who HAS to sit with us in my back yard (or else she yelps and cries within earshot). I can't bring out appetizers to share when the dog is there, because she's all over everyone, trying to get a taste. Even if the animals are well-behaved, I don't want to be looking at any pitiful, yearning eyes in restaurants.

BTW, I got a kick out of the blogger who pointed out that children, especially diapered babies, are dirtier than many animals. LOL!

Lee
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One reply by (ostartero) really had me LOLing. I wont quote it because it is so crude, but I did have a really good belly shaking laugh when I read it.
 
Service animals only. Otherwise, I don't want the hair and dander flying around my food, plus, the aforementioned behavior problems.

Of course, some pet owners are more poorly trained than the pets, themselves!
 
I agree with everyone here - only service animals. (Also the part about kids. LOL)

I noticed in France that everyone took their dogs everywhere! Even the grocery store. It never bothered me and I never saw a badly behaved pet. However, France is really different culturally. If someone brought a badly behaved pet to a restaurant, everyone in the place would let them know. It's OK to tell a complete stranger exactly what you think. I suspect that wouldn't fly here.
 
No way! I love animals but there are places they don't belong. Service animals are fine. They are doing a job.

I also get frustrated when folks bring their dogs to Home depot and Lowes. I find myself having to move to get out of the dogs way... :(
 
I am the proud owner of two Labs and I love them dearly. They are absolutely better behaved than lots if kids I have observed in restaurants.

When I go out, they stay home. If weather allows, they may stay in the truck. The actually like that.
 
Service animals only....

I think most street fairs, boardwalks, outdoor concerts, beaches, etc, should also be off limits to pets , too.
 
I agree with the majority. Although I do feel that it depends upon what type of restaurant the pets can attend, like drive-ins or outdoor cafe's. There's too much risk, especially around those with animal dander allergies, then there's fleas....like mom always said "Don't touch that! You don't know where it's been!" lol :wink:
 
Fisher's Mom said:
I noticed in France that everyone took their dogs everywhere! Even the grocery store. It never bothered me and I never saw a badly behaved pet. However, France is really different culturally. If someone brought a badly behaved pet to a restaurant, everyone in the place would let them know. It's OK to tell a complete stranger exactly what you think. I suspect that wouldn't fly here.
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It's that way everywhere across the pond, Terry, when it comes to pets.
I have found that the English, in particular- are pet crazy.
For a country that is supposed to be so snooty (they aren't... you got to know them to love them:wub:)--they are the most attentive and loving to their animals, whether it be cats, dogs or birds.
I'd have to disagree with you on telling anyone in France (complete strangers) that their pet was behaving badly.
Most likely they'd tell you where to shove a crepe lol
Don't ask them to open the wine you just purchased from them either, or take your time figuring out pounds = francs. LOL
 
Maybe I'm weird...let me rephrase that...I am weird, and I will not eat in a house where there are cats living. IMO, they have the run of the house (their choice, not the owner's), and spend too much time "SITTING" on high places, including kitchen counters. They shed non-stop, and their hair gets into and onto everything in the house. That just skeeves me out. Sorry if I offend any cat lovers here, but it's a fact that they have the run of the house and go where they please, when they please. It's more than my small brain can process, to think the cooking surfaces are clean. I have seen pictures of people's cats sitting on the kitchen counter while prepping food. Sorry, but I just can't take that. OH, and I hate it when I see PEOPLE sitting on kitchen counters as well. It's a food prep surface, not a chair or bar stool.
 
Yeah Joe, we have friends we don't invite over for food or fun... They can't stomach the idea of cats and dogs as family members. (No diss on you OR them!) And I totally understand... lots of aminal hair a flyin' in this house, LOL!
 
"In our house, dog hair is a condiment!"

I don't want to see pets in restaurants, either, primarily because as a dog owner, I know how much they shed, and how much hair gets into even a 'clean' kitchen.

I've often been accused by friends and family of being obsessive about keeping my house clean, and to some extent I admit that's true (this probably surprises none of you). And my dogs know the sentence, "Get out of the kitchen!" When they wander in, they are told to leave and they do. But I still find dog hair all over the place. As vigilant as I am about it, if I still find hair in undesirable places, I can only imagine what it would be like in a restaurant with various pets coming in all day.

And I totally agree with JoeV about the cats on kitchen countertops! I has friends once who had both cats & dogs. They actually fed their cats on the kitchen countertop to keep the dogs out of the cat food dish! YUCK!!!
 
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