Thursday, October 31, 2019

Doggie Dining Begins

Doggie Dining is coming to Mississippi tomorrow.  Yes, readers read that sentence correctly.  Restaurants can start applying tomorrow to the Mississippi State Department of Health for a variance.  The variance will permit dogs at outdoor patios of restaurants. 



The Clarion-Ledger published a feel-good story in July reporting the local diners that were canine-friendly. However, unknown to the reporter,  state regulations prohibited dogs from restaurant patios.  The Mississippi State Department of Health read the story and notified the newspaper that although popular, dog-friendly patios are illegal and could result in a fine for the restaurant of up to $1,000 for a second violation.  A warning is issued for the first violation. 

The Mississippi State Department of Health will grant a variance to restaurants who wish to allow canines at outdoor patios.  A restaurant or other establishment that gets a food facility permit will pay a permit fee of $165 ofr an additional inspection.  The application will be on the department's website.  Applicants can pay the fee online as well.

Senior Deputy Director Dr. Jim Craig said the department will try to inspect the facility within five days of application.  A variance committee will review the application and report.  He said the committee will at first meet on an ad hoc basis due to the initial demand and then settle on a fixed schedule.

As is standard practice in other states, the outdoor area must have it's own entrance. The dogs must be on a leash and are not allowed to enter the indoor section of the restaurant. Nothing can go back in the kitchen from the dog-friendly area.  Waiters and waitresses are not allowed to touch the mutts.  Only disposable utensils and dinnerware can be used in the patios approved for variances.  That means no wine glasses, coffee mugs, silverware, or plates that have to be washed even if the diners have no dog.

The restaurant can limit dogs by weight, size, and yes, even breed.  Dr. Craig said the new policy is a way for the department to be business-friendly.  



54 comments:

Anon-E-Mouse said...

Hooray. Rudd’s and entitled dog owners will now leave messes for waitstaff to cleanup.

Anonymous said...

Awesome. I hope you will provide an updated list on a regular basis so that I can avoid those nasty places.

Pitbull mom said...

Mississippi is finally catching up with NY and LA! Now I can take my sweet baby bullies with me to restaurants like a real mom!
Dog moms rule!

Anonymous said...

In a word...NONSENSE.

Anonymous said...

Great news! We will be sure to patronize these establishments.

Anonymous said...

@pitbull mom. If your pits come anywhere near my children they will be shot. I don’t care if you think they’re good dogs.

Anonymous said...

Los Angeles ... now there's a place we should really want to be like.

Anonymous said...

It'll all come to a screeching halt when somebody's dog bites someone and it lands them and the establishment where it happened in court.

When food is involved even the best trained dog gets serious. I can see it now. Two dogs tie up with one another under a table going after a "treat" someone tosses on the floor. Animals in a restaurant no matter the type or training they've had is a bad idea.

Anonymous said...

@12:43 you shoot my dog for simply coming near you or yours then expect the same to happen to you

Anonymous said...

Pitbull Mom, have you been to NY or LA lately? The streets are littered with human waste, needles and other trash; and they probably have ordinances regulating breeds such as your sweet baby bully which have been identified as unsafe and vicious.

And I'm with 12:43, if your dogs get anywhere near my children, they will find themselves in the next life bully. Since you're probably a lefty liberal and probably tout yourself as compassionate and tolerant, how about you have some manners and not force people to dine next your dog while she (your male dog probably identifies as female or gender fluid) licks her ball and ass, and pisses and shits all over the place.

Anonymous said...

I'm a dog owner. I will not be bringing my dog to eat with me. However, it doesn't bother me when people bring dogs to outdoor eating areas if they are well-behaved. Doesn't bother me one bit.

Kingfish said...

Other states figure it out yet we can't. Sounds about right.

Cathy Cotton said...

Anonymous @ 1:13 What a bitter, angry human you are! I bet you a million soup bones you haven't been to LA or NY in decades, if ever. To hear you freak out about something that hasn't even happened is a window to your hyper-paranoid soul. Bless your heart.

Anonymous said...

A Texas woman is in the intensive care unit of an Austin hospital after a dog bit her and gave her a rare bacterial infection, forcing doctors to amputate her legs and fingers.

LUV Carlsbad in Freaking California said...

A young girl was attacked by a dog while eating with her family at Pizza Port in Carlsbad last week.

A woman sitting near the family asked if their two daughters would like to pet her dog. The owner walked off, leaving the dog with the girls.

The dog then bit four-year-old Lacey Burke on the face.

“My daughter was on her knees, petting the dog’s head like the owner had showed, and the dog went at her face,”Lacey’s mother, Taylor Burke, said.

She was rushed to the children’s hospital where she underwent surgery.

"We want to make awareness for people bringing their dogs into public places, especially crowded restaurants with food on the ground, lots of people, craziness going on, you just never know how the dog is going to react,” Ray Burke, Lacey’s father, told NBC 7. “They are animals at the end of the day."

Anonymous said...

hmmm... i surely do love some redfish anna on the patio at walkers on a nice night, nut not on a paper plate with a plastic fork. that's fine at newk's, but not somewhere nicer.

Anonymous said...

Dog friendly restaurants may make business sense for restaurant owners. Nonetheless, a dog friendly policy becomes questionable because in some instances it could compromise public safety. The degree of risk depends on the circumstances present in the restaurant and the temperament of the dog. Similar risks probably exist when dogs are allowed to sit next to their owner in outdoor cafes which often abut public sidewalks, or dogs in pet stores, or for that matter any indoor public environment where a dog could conceivably have a close encounter with an unfamiliar person or be exposed to frightening stimuli.

Kingfish said...

Looks like our curmudgeon up in Madison County who hates dog parks has appeared.

Anonymous said...

There sure are a lot of whiny bitches posting on this thread. People have dogs. Dogs are social animals. People with dogs like to be social. If you don’t like that restaurants are doing this, then don’t give them your business. If enough people affect the restaurant’s bottom line, well the business will have to change. If the business is not affected, then you’ll have to deal with it, or go somewhere else that supports your beliefs. It’s called a free market, and consumer demand dictates where it goes.

Not too long ago, you were allowed to smoke in a restaurant. And there’s people complaining here about a leashed dog on a patio?

Oh, and if you shoot my dog for looking at you funny, you obviously don’t understand the amount of hell I will inflict on you.

Anonymous said...

"@12:43 you shoot my dog for simply coming near you or yours then expect the same to happen to you"

Good luck with that argument in court, moron. Someone defending themselves of their child from an animal attack - well-established legal doctrine. Defending a dog's legal rights? Good luck finding a law establishing that.

Anonymous said...

We aint got long.....

Anonymous said...

Nothing like the sweet aroma of fresh dog shit to enhance a dining out experience.

Anonymous said...

My insurance is expensive already, how much of a rate increase is it going to be once I let dogs in?

Anonymous said...

@1:32... I have pets and I agree with you totally ... one time I was eating on the patio at Mcalisters and had my 2 Poodle’s on the car with the air on and the police told me I couldn’t leave them in the car... I said I’m right here sir and the air is on... he demanded I get in the car with the dogs so I just packed my food and left... I usually don’t go to restaurants when they are with me but I bumped into a friend while at Hollywood Feed and we went across the street to get a bite to eat and the sole reason for choosing this restaurant is to eat on the patio and leave them in the car with the air conditioner on... I was flummoxed by this officer

Anonymous said...

There's more than one curmudgeon/jackass/doomsday prophet here, KF.
I'm all for dining outdoors with dog family, but the plastic for everyone is ridiculous. That will discourage most restaurants from applying.

Anonymous said...

Who eats on a patio anyway in MS? Seriously there are only 2 seasons here, deer and summer

Kingfish said...

Yup. That rule is going to be a dealbreaker for many. Three owners told me they really want to allow it but the disposable requirements kill it for them. Not just nice restaurants, think of ceramic coffee mugs at starbucks.

What About Cats? said...

"Looks like our curmudgeon up in Madison County who hates dog parks has appeared."

Try to pay attention, Kingfish...this ain't got shit to do with Dog Parks. If you want to eat your lunch with chihuahua's humping your ankles, then you need to brown-bag it at Pet Depot.

Anonymous said...

Scrooges allows dogs on the patio. I didn't see a problem with it.

Anonymous said...

Let the dogs eat off of disposable dishes, and give their owners a dog bowl.

Perfect.

Anonymous said...

We don’t even take our kids to some restaurants, and they’re human beings! Why, oh why do people feel the need to take their dogs to restaurants?

Anonymous said...

1:59; 1:13 here - out of necessity and for my business, I travel to NY and LA at least once a month; both cities have become filthy, lawless examples of how NOT to run a city. I used to look forward to these trips, now I dread them. When is the last time YOU went?

Anonymous said...

12:43 if you discharge your weapon in a public area I for 1 will be the first to call the police
go to another restaurant if you don’t like the dogs

Anonymous said...

12:48 California May be far from perfect but it has the 5th highest economy in the world
what is Mississippi

Anonymous said...

1:13 crass

Anonymous said...

I’d rather some people leave their snotty bratty loud kids at home

Anonymous said...

Well, the dog haters are out in force. Doom and gloom everywhere. An especially nice touch was posting the articles about dogs attacking people in restaurants. One could, if one wanted to, find numerous articles about people going to restaurants and getting attacked, shot and stabbed by other people. Surely people should be banned from restaurants, right? And let's not forget that people going to restaurants are often harmed by the food in restaurants (food poisoning). Doesn't it stand to reason that both food and people should be banned from restaurants? The logic is unassailable.

I happen to live in a city where dogs are not only allowed in bars and some restaurants, but actively welcomed. Bartenders have doggie treats behind the bar and dogs sit at bar stools and often roam around unleashed; I see this several times a week. They are regulars, everyone knows them, and not a single time - not once - have I ever witnessed a problem with the dogs. Dogs are welcome on any outside patio throughout the entire city and inside of some restaurants. It is so common as to be normal and again, I have never witnessed a single issue. Some people just hate dogs, and these are the most miserable, pathetic kind of people there are.

And to the person who said they would shoot a dog if it approached their child: well, aren't you a big tough guy, bringing a big gun to a restaurant with your child in tow just waiting to mow down anything that approaches your precious, snot-nosed little brat. Haha, just kidding. Not a single person believes your dumb sociopathic ass.

Anonymous said...

12:48 California May be far from perfect but it has the 5th highest economy in the world
what is Mississippi


Better economy and, by far, more people openly crapping on the ground than here in Mississippi.

Anonymous said...

1:13 and 7:09: You are flat out lying. I bet you have never been to New York City in your entire life. NYC has one of the lowest crime rates in the nation and is the 10th overall safest major city in the entire world. They just recorded their lowest number of homicides since the 1940's. If you have actually been to NYC, you are such a sheltered little baby-child that you are probably scared of your own shadow and almost certainly terrified of anyone that doesn't look exactly like you. You know what cities have higher rates of violent crime than NYC? Omaha, Neb., Des Moines, Iowa, Mobile, Alabama, and Orlando, FL. Gulfport, MS has over FOUR TIMES the murder rate of New York City. Meridian, MS has over SIX TIMES the murder rate of NYC.

You have absolutely no idea what the word "lawless" means. You're just spouting off conservative talking points about places you know nothing about.

Anonymous said...

Most restaurants in Austin allow dogs on leash at outdoor restaurants. I don’t think it works for fine dining. The majority were sandwich places like Newk’s, etc. never saw a problem. My little pooch has better manners than a lot of people. Some of who have posted here.

Anonymous said...

I happen to live in a city where dogs are not only allowed in bars and some restaurants, but actively welcomed.

What city? Put up.

Anonymous said...

My little pooch has better manners than a lot of people. Some of who have posted here.

Does your little pooch floss? How about flush after using the restroom?

But He's So Cute.. said...

Misery for the pet! Just like the miserable pets whose 'owners' drag them along on leash in many public outdoor venues (parks, walking trails, fairs, parades, car shows), with everybody asking, 'Oh, cute, can I pet him?' And the poor dog's feet are burning up and its tongue is hanging out from thirst.

Anonymous said...

10:22, I live in Mid City New Orleans. You can take your dog inside almost any bar in the city; I regularly take my dog to Cosimos, Harry's Corner, the Golden Lantern, the R Bar, the Erin Rose, Good Friends, Twelve Mile Limit, Markey's Bar, Vaughn's Lounge, etc. All of these bars have doggie treats behind the bar that they give to their dog customers. And I can't think of a single restaurant that has a patio where dogs aren't allowed. And there are hundreds of restaurants in town that have patios.

Anonymous said...

10:25
He does floss. Every morning he has a treat called Greenie which cleans his teeth and has a barest freshner. Hedoest flush however he has one spot in the corner of the yard that he uses. Unfortunately I see a lot of public toilets for humans where the user didn’t flush. I’m out

Anonymous said...

My brother's dog always eats on the patio.

Françoise Appledelhi (Edward) said...

My dog is a genius. His name is Einstein. He flies around on a spaceship with me and my friends, who are all bounty hunters. From time to time he will hack the interwebs with me. We stopped letting him eat mushrooms because one time he got reslly high.

Garlo Uthrey.. said...

1:00 - New Orleans is America's largest dungeon, den of inequity and shit-hole. And you've come on here to tell us how advanced they are in their dining venues?

Nothing like waking up early, walking outside the Roosevelt, onto the street (6:20 a.m.) and watching the water trucks spray down the streets, smelling the horse and dog urine and wondering how many dogs and humans shit in the streets last night. And many of them shit and pissed off and on so called 'restaurant patios'.

Anonymous said...

It might make things less controversial if someone simply made a list of restaurants that forced people to bring their dogs and another list of those that forced people to dine at those on the former. I realize it is the not only Mississippi, but the Jackson metro area, but how hard could it be to compile and distribute both lists? I'll step out on limb and suggest it wouldn't take more than, well, a second or two.

Anonymous said...

I thought Ridgeland and Madison had a law against tobacco smoking in restaurants, also including outdoor patios attached to them. Maybe I don't know that law. Or maybe Shuckers doesn't. Which is it?

Anonymous said...

7:30pm - You are so right! How dare someone from New Orleans come on here and talk about how advanced they are in their dining options! I bet there's not a single all-you-can-eat catfish buffet in the whole city. The 10 million visitors that visit New Orleans each year from around the globe who come to dine in all of James Beard-award-winning restaurants are just a bunch of dumbasses for not going to Mississippi instead. Don't they know anything about good food like fried pickles?

You mouth-breathing fucktards crack me up. I wonder what culinary mecca 7:30pm lives in? Pisgah? Brandon? Please enlighten us on all of the advanced dining options you have in your city, pardner. I can't wait to hear about the great biscuits at the Cracker Barrel. hahahaha

Anonymous said...

@11:30
For your information I live in Florence and you obviously haven't been to Berries otherwise you would know better.

Anonymous said...

I don't have a major problem with this, but I can understand the issues it would create. How would you like trying to enjoy your lunch while someone else's dog is begging for food? Dogs are also unpredictable in social situations if they are not accustomed to it. Some children are also afraid of dogs. So it could have an impact on business in a negative way.

Anonymous said...

Some of us enjoy bringing our dogs to a restaurant . Mine are better behaved and have less germs than most of your snotty nosed brats. And the one that said she would shoot the pit bulls ?! You sound like you need a good punch to the head. Just sayin . Have some respect for others you closed minded parent



Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.