Law would allow dogs at outdoor dinner tables

June 6, 2007 (WLS) -- Despite some cooler temperatures, patio season is in full swing around Chicago, and Governor Blagojevich is expected to sign into law changes to state health regulations to allow dogs at outdoor cafes. The City Council's License and Consumer Protection Committee will determine what a dog-friendly ordinance would mean for owners, customers and, of course, dogs.

With dogs poised to invade Chicago's outdoor cafes, keeping this to a minimum seems to be the best Chicago restaurateurs can hope for.

"Don't forget you can bring your dog right now and you can be a pencil away from the outdoor cafe and that dog is still within that environment," said Ald. Gene Schulter, License and Consumer Protection Committee.

Despite testimony Wednesday from the city Health Department that dogs in outdoor cafes would create a greater risk of food-borne illness, supporters of a new ordinance were quick to rebut such nay saying.

"People just hang out and they see their friends sitting down eating and they have their dog it's like c'mon have a bite with me, have a drink with me. We're just trying to make everything legitimate and easier," said Ald. Walter Burnett, ordinance co-sponsor.

Alderman Schulter says the mayor likes dogs -- but the mayor's office won't take a stance yet.

"I think it would probably just add to the chaos of the patio and the neighborhood," said Kate Naylor, Tavern on Rush manager.

Perhaps more consultation with restaurant managers is needed. On Rush Street, they're at best ambivalent -- even though the Illinois Restaurant Association supports the move, provided establishments have a choice.

"What happens when you have two dogs sitting next to each other that don't get along and all of sudden somebody gets bit? You know, are we liable for that because it's on our property? So I'm not sure what's right here," said Naylor.

It may come down to a mantra of the service industry -- "the customer is always right."

"When you are a dog owner, you feel like the dog is a part of your family, so when somebody tells you you can't come and sit on the restaurant on the outside with the dog, I find it insulting," said Helene Lotman, Chicago dog owner.

Kelly Larson is a former restaurateur at a Milwaukee establishment where dogs were allowed.

"Everybody loved it, they thought it was great. In fact, I think more people came to the restaurant because dogs were allowed," said Larson.

Dogs could be in cafes in a month -- and bear in mind that in 2005, Dog Fancy, a leading dog magazine, recognized Chicago as America's best city for dogs.

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