New York – Dogs will be soon welcomed at restaurants with outdoor tables in New York City, the Health Department announced in an advisory issued on Tuesday. The new regulations will allow dogs to join their human friends at eating out, as long as they are licensed and vaccinated against rabies.
The announcement follows a law passed last year by the state Legislature, which permitted municipalities to set their own rules for dogs at restaurants with outdoor seating. The authorities will not be in charge of seeing the pets’ papers, but restaurants are required to inform their customers about the conditions by posting signs at the establishments.
“I’m so pleased that the City Department of Health threw dog lovers a bone,” State Assemblywoman Linda B. Rosenthal expressed in a statement. She sponsored the state law.
The new rules will take effect in 30 days, just in time for outdoor dining season, according to city’s Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett, The New York Times reported.
Prior to these regulations, restaurants in New York City were required to restrict the furry buddies to the area outside the patio railing.
The advisory is limited to dogs
Cat lovers are probably feeling left out because the rules only apply to dogs. The website Eater.com asked: “Is New York State Discriminating against Cat Owners with New Dog-Centric Restaurant Policy?”
About 57 percent of New Yorkers polled by Siena College identified themselves as a “dog person”, while only 17 percent described themselves as a “cat person”. Cats are not allowed to dine at restaurants simply because the dog lobby has a much stronger support.
Source: New York Times