(Columbus, OH) Dining may be going to the dogs.
A new bill introduced at the Ohio Statehouse would allow dog owners to bring their pets on outdoor patios at restaurants.
The bill would ban health departments from prohibiting dogs at outdoor dining venues, although restaurants could decide themselves to ban dogs from their business. The only exception would be for service dogs. Fido alongside foodies won't go over well with public health inspectors trying to protect against potential food contamination and disease transfer.
But Ohio's not the only state trying to permit pooches on the patio-- Michigan is considering a similar law, while New York and California have already eased similar restrictions.