Mississippi is one of the few states in the South that bans dogs from restaurant patios. A controversy arose this year about restaurants allowing dogs in patios and other outdoor areas. What is common in other states is illegal in Mississippi.
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 started notifying restaurants that although popular, dog-friendly patios are illegal and will bring a fine upon the restaurant.
Mississippi adopted the FDA model Code for restaurants as did many other states. The code is quite specific about allowing dogs in patios.
6-501.115 Prohibiting Animals.The code provides exceptions for service dogs, police dogs, and other similar working dogs. States that adopted the code simply modified this section to give a break to canine-friendly restaurants. Most states allow the practice if the outdoor area has an outside entrance that does not require the diner to enter the restaurant to reach the outdoor area. For example, Walkers or Starbucks could allow dogs in their outside areas while Keifers and Babalu would run afoul of such laws due to the lack of an outside entrance. As usual, Mississippi and its two twins in poverty, Arkansas and Alabama, bring up the rear on this little progressive feature of city life.
(A) Except as specified in ¶¶ (B) and (C) of this section, live animals may not be allowed on the PREMISES of a FOOD ESTABLISHMENT
Here are the policies of Southern states.
Alabama: Banned.
Arkansas: Banned.
Florida: Dogs are allowed in outdoor areas as long as there is an outside entrance.
Georgia: Dogs are allowed in patio areas if leashed and if there is an outside entrance.
Kentucky: Dogs allowed if there is an outside entrance.
Louisiana: Dogs allowed.
Maryland: Dogs allowed in patios but establishment must notify local health department.
Missouri: Up to the local health department. Kansas City allows the practice.
North Carolina: Dogs allowed. Must be leashed and come through outside entrance.
Oklahoma: Dogs allowed if an outside entrance is used.
South Carolina: Dogs allowed if an outside entrance is used.
Tennessee: Dogs allowed on patios only if cities of populations over 100,000.
Texas: Dogs allowed if leashed and outside entrance is used.
Virginia: Dogs allowed in outdoor areas.
Kingfish note: Keep in mind current regs apply to not just restaurants but coffee shops and yes, even Smoothie King. Taking that dog for a walk in the neighborhood and happen to see a Smoothie King? Keep on walking. Those little tables outside are considered to be under the restaurant's control.
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In my experience, dogs and kids in an outdoor restaurant or bar setting often times don't mix.
The law is the result of people not being able to be "reasonable." If you let one person in with a small lap dog which is quiet and not harmful....the next one you see will be a large menacing dog (insert breed here) whose owner gets excited because the dog scares people and children. Its harsh but its reality. I'd rather have no small lap dogs while I drink coffee at (insert coffee house here) rather than have to deal with some jerk with a large scary dog.
11:31 AM, a comma is sorely needed in between your two brilliantly written sentences. Also, a little common sense. If I am forced to share a restaurant with Bubba and Shirley while they blow their nose, pick the food from their teeth and get the remaining portions in a to-go box so that they can further kill themselves, I should be able to bring a well-trained, well-groomed member of my family.
This is as outdated as the Mississippi ban on dueling for a sweet lady's honor. The trend that the other 49 states are following is to normalize man and his best friend's relations in public places and incorporate dogs into the public forum.
So, you would rather dine with a gross, germy fat person who works at the Pearl Walmart??? I have never gotten sick from a canine member of my family, nor have I ever been insulted by one, or grossed out by one. Dogs fight less than humans, and yet humans are allowed to eat without abandon at establishments. Who is the crazy one here??
It only makes sense, Mississippi is so rural. Why can't they lead the way in terms of being more comfortable and acceptable of dogs in public?
Do you think any of the other states are worried about how Mississippi legislates these matters? It’s one of those things that the majority could handle on their own but then you have those who weren’t raised right. It’s a big whatever...
I heard from someone inside the Department of Health that they are working to update the regulations and remove this prohibition.
It's the political easy way out => punish the majority for the bad behavior of a very small minority.
Where in Mississippi do we have an area that has a lot of foot traffic with a smoothie king?
Maywood Mart for starters. Then half the coffee shops in the area. Quite a few establishments in Fondren have an outdoor patio. Fondren building, Walkers, Cups, Pig and Pint.... you get the idea.
Islam is right about dogs.
They are unclean. Enjoy your parasites.
Messick at 11:36 AM "In my experience, dogs and kids in an outdoor restaurant or bar setting often times don't mix." First of all, "bah humbug" and "get off my lawn" to you! It's really children that can get out of hand, running around between tables with no parental discipline. Dogs are typically laid back and just happy to be there.
12:14, there's a Smoothie King at Renaissance with a few sidewalk seats nearby. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are allowed on the sidewalks. And as KF said, Maywood's has some seats, and it's next to Nandy's Candy.
I was at a restaurant when a K-9 police officer came in to eat. He had to leave his dog in the car, a potentially fatal situation for the canine officer. I would have much rather had a well behaved, trained dog in the restaurant than be trying to enjoy my meal while worrying if the engine and a/c would shut off. This is an archaic rule that needs to be addressed.
I have a dog. I love my dog. I leave my dog at home when I eat out. I can get by for an hour or so without my pooch, can't you?
I just love to watch a dog lick its balls and ass while I'm trying to eat, and the smell of urine and dog shit really whets my pallet. Not everybody likes dogs, and some people are very allergic. I sat next to someone with an emotional support dog on a three-hour flight and the dog was a real pain in the ass, and the person who had the dog basically admitted the papers were fake and she just wanted to save money on airline fees.
If you want to eat with your dog, go to the park and have a nice picnic, if you want to travel with your dog, drive.
Jim Hood likes dogs and will fix this mess.
Allowing animals in dining establishments makes about as much sense as expecting a raise in teachers salaries will improve the quality of education.
It's a millenial thing. Comfort dogs for the clueless.
Who cares about dogs? Why can't I bring my pet Harbor Seal, and his sheep friend?
Yeah, but I'll bet Bubba and Shirley don't like their butts. And besides, anyone who can't go out for an evening without taking Fido, regardless of how cute and cuddly he may be, needs to get a life.
I have recently noticed that some (certainly not all) parents think the outside tables are the place for children to race and run free while they enjoy their food or drink. Give me a dog on a leash any day over that.
I need my comfort peacock.
@11:48 AM
You should have your doctor test your blood for Toxoplasma Gondii and Trypanosoma Cruzi. Both protozoa are carried by dogs and cats and the majority of pet owners are infected with these zoonotic diseases. It is well documented that both T.Cruzi and T.Gondii effect brain function as the protozoa multiply significantly.
T.Gondii is the cause of the "crazy cat lady" stereotype. Being in a house full of infected cats and their feces drives a person quite literally to madness due to the brain damage caused by the protozoa.
Why don't you hear about this on Good Morning America? Pet centered consumerism is a trillion dollar industry in America.
Hilarious how people act like their dog is clean when we all know damn well it licks it's butt hole and ball sack when it isn't licking their face. Disgusting. I was born in wrong generation cause try as I might I can't get with the agenda..
Killing babies = not murder
men who wear dress = women
dogs = clean
twisted and deranged the lot of you!
I have recently noticed that some (certainly not all) parents think the outside tables are the place for children to race and run free while they enjoy their food or drink.
Did the children interrupt your meal in any way?
This is a good policy. Who wants to dine around a slobbering, needy animal that may very well urinate, or worse, near where you are seated and trying to enjoy a meal?
4:41 - absolutely. About 8 kids between the ages of 5-10 running through tables and around the green space yelling and chasing actually did interrupt my meal many times.
How about you do take-out on your patio if you want the experience of eating/drinking outside with your kids free to run.
I noticed that dog owners keep throwing out buzz words like “harmless” “trained” “clean” and/or “well behaved”. It’s interesting that none ever mentioned that their fur babies are “sociable”. Can you vouch for your dog’s behavior in every scenario, of course not because you haven’t even encountered every personality. Face it no one wants the liability.
Any parent with common sense knows that it their children aren’t sociable, then it’s hamburger helper on the menu. Do not equate children with animals. If anything all of these high character dog owners should take their resources, and build the establishment that caters to them and their pets.
I can promise you that people that are pet adverse will not intrude.
@3:28,
I'm guessing that you dont get invited to many parties.
My pets dont make me sick your sick.
8:16PM wrote, "If anything all of these high character dog owners should take their resources, and build the establishment that caters to them and their pets."
Well, therein lies the heart of the matter. As the law currently stands, one could not do so. But if it were legal and a person did open such an establishment, folks would be - as they should be - free to either patronize or avoid it, just like any other restaurant they did or did not like. In other words, folks should be free to vote for the establishments they elect to patronize with their feet and wallets.
If someone were to take their resources and open an establishment that allows dogs on the patio or wherever else on the premises and makes it plain that it does allow it, by what reasonable justification do those who disagree with that policy feel entitled to force a change rather than simply not go there?
Put another way, if you wish to dine out on steak and wine, it makes no sense to go to a restaurant that advertises itself as vegan and alcohol-free and demand it serve you steak and wine; simply go to a restaurant that advertises its steak and wine.
I ate dinner on the patio of an Irish pub in Denver, Colorado last week. Halfway through my meal, a millennial dressed like a hippie from the 1960s brought her cutesy little dog onto the patio where it got excited by the people who were greeting it and proceeded to squat and urinate about 2 feet from my feet. I was NOT amused and I own a dog myself. Dogs do not belong in restaurants. Period.
Dogs don't belong in restaurants or on planes. Simple as that. I don't want your dog, however cute, next to me while eating or flying. Not opposed to dogs at all but keep them at home.
Amen 7.57 Dogs are awesome I just dont want them sitting next to me on a plane or restaurant. This biggest problem with this generation is they assume everyone likes the same things they do. And Heaven forbid if they feel different. People work hard want a relaxing meal don't want to see a dog licking your face or eating off your plate. Its not cute to everyone. Also it does not help when you tell me your growling barking dog would never bite me. Well I've been bitten three times by nonbiters. So you might understand why I get a little nervous.
Yes dogs are awesome but its not everyones cup of tea. And No Im not a mean person just because I dont agree with you. Ill never forget I go to see the M Braves one night and I didn't know it was Bark in the Park Night. Needless to say I was gone after 20 minutes and Havent been back.
No dogs. No cats. No parrots. No hedgehogs. No pets in restaurants, please.
Last I checked we live in a free country and not North Korea. I will bring my mental support komodo dragon where I damn well please, thank you very much.
He sleeps next to my naked body every nite and wouldn't hurt a soul.
When the "tick-dolla-rue" virus begins spreading, people will realize animals need to stay home. People will have the symptons of the iron in their blood, turning to lead in their ass.
I am happy to see that the majority of commenters here have the good sense to think dogs in restaurants (or planes, or anywhere but at their owner’s house) is an appallingly BAD idea. I’d go even further! Even in your own home, PLEASE be thoughtful, and put Fido outdoors, or in another room, when you invite company over, if he is a jumper, a licker, a tidbit-begger, a yapper, or “nervous” around strangers. I went to a dinner party a couple of years ago, and when I bent down to retrieve my dropped napkin, I startled the little furry household darling, and it bit a plug out of my forearm. The hosts were horrified, and effusively apologetic, and yada yada yada—but it would have been SO easy to just lock the little fucker up in the laundry room, or somewhere. I only wish I had thought quickly enough to stab it with my fork—HARD.
Some of the comments make you realize how the world has changed. 20 years ago A dog owner would ask do you mind is we bring our dog in. And normal people could say Im allergic to dogs or cat hair or I would rather you didn't. Now its like By George Im bring the dog in and shame on you if you don't like it. Common courtesy on this and other items in society is just gone.
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