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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><b>SB #476</b><o:p></o:p></p><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></blockquote><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><div><p class=MsoNormal>What may have been the 89th legislative session's most seamlessly passed bill, Senate Bill 476 is set to allow restaurants statewide to decide if they will allow dogs in their outside dining areas.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Current law allows restaurants to welcome dogs if the establishment has obtained a permit from its city or county. Under the new law, cities will not be allowed to require such permits.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The bill, introduced by Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills, does not require restaurants to accept non-service dogs in their patio areas, but allows restaurants to decide if they want to accept dogs. Restaurant patios can be dog-friendly as long as the following requirements are met:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>•the establishment must post a sign stating that dogs are permitted;<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>•in the patio area, the establishment must not prepare food or permit open food other than what is being served to a customer<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dog owners share responsibility when bringing their dogs into a Fido-friendly area:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>•the dog owner and dog must access the patio area directly from the exterior of the establishment<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>•the dog can't enter the interior of the establishment<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>•the dog owner must keep the dog on a leash and control the dog<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>•the dog-owner must not allow the dog on a seat, table, counter top or similar surface<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>SB 476 essentially changes the state's health code prohibition of dogs in locations that serve and prepare food.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Currently, several cities skirt the prohibition by requiring establishments that wish to be dog-friendly to apply for a permit or extra inspection and pay a fee of as much as $265 per renewal.<o:p></o:p></p></div></blockquote><p class=MsoNormal>Two problems with this bill:<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>#1. Anybody can bring their dog to eat on the patio of any restaurant; yes it must be on a leash yada yada but who is going to comply?<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Badly behaved pet attacks well-trained working dog, you have a problem.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>#2. OK I’d like to think that a lot of restaurant personnel are familiar with the ADA as it relates to guide/service dog access. With that being said, there is the occasional twit who will tell the working dog handler they must eat outside because dogs are only allowed on the patio. Yes a manager can get involved, the police can be called, if management doesn’t let the handler and dog eat inside, but wouldn’t it be nice to avoid all of that drama?<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>When I’m in public I don’t want any drama if it can be avoided.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Tina and Yvonne<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Sent from my I-Phone <o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal>-- <br>The Seeing Eye<br>Independence with Dignity since 1929<br><br> <br>If you need to contact one of the list owners for <br>> questions or assistance, please use the following email address: <a href="mailto:seeing-eye+owner@googlegroups.com">seeing-eye+owner@googlegroups.com</a>.<br>--- <br>You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seeing Eye Discussions" group.<br>To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to <a href="mailto:seeing-eye+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com">seeing-eye+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com</a>.<br>To view this discussion on the web visit <a href="https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/seeing-eye/689895D5-CE5D-4FA6-B0DC-96DB544A003D%40icloud.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer">https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/seeing-eye/689895D5-CE5D-4FA6-B0DC-96DB544A003D%40icloud.com</a>.<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>