Is this really something that is newsworthy and worth spending more then just a millisecond thinking about? I'd rather see our leaders spending time to resolve real issues like trying to fix our public school system in Washington State.

Two words--WHO CARES?

There are enough Dogs in bars...we should work to get rid of some of them...before we get too drunk to NOT take them home. :)

Absolutely not. Not only am I allergic to animals, but I can't stand dogs. I don't need some nasty, drooling, smelly animal near me while in a restaurant. It's bad enough they're allowed on buses.

I THINK IT WOULD BE GREAT IF WE COULD BRING DOGS
IN A BAR. SOME DOGS A BETTER COMPANY THAN PEOPLE.

This is so fitting of the political climate of Seattle; me, me, me, f-you. So if others are allergic, your dog bites when his toes get stepped on or she just smells; too bad, so sad, they're cute and you must put up with me. Too bad they can't put thought, energy and money into the real issues; infastructure, education, transpotation. Better yet give everyone else the freedom to choose also as in smokers and bar owners who do, but then that wouldn't benefit Me.

People say that their dog is like their kid. Would you take your kid to the bar? I would hope not....NO DOGS IN BARS....or grocery stores....or restaurants... Dont care for dog hair or dander in my food. We cant smoke in a restaurant or a bar but we can let the dog in....Smoking bothers you and your dog may bother someone too....

This is the most assanine thing I have heard recently from our Representatives. Dogs are good company, to most people, but better off at home where they belong. If the people who want this to become a law want to be with their pets, let them stay home too. We need more COMPETANT people to run for public office, that's for damn sure.

It's as if all common sense has left the state!

Not only is the idea of passing legislation to allow dogs in bars and restaurants a waste of legislative time, the concept has no merit. I love the idea that a bar featured in local news stories actually encouraged patrons to lie and say their dogs are "service" dogs so they could bring Fido in, it is disrespectful to all disabled people who really utilize service dogs to assist them in their everyday lives. Only service dogs should be given the exception to animals in public places.

Besides the possibility of allergic reactions by other patrons, there is a whole host of other health issues that come to mind. Dog hair in your dinner, anyone? The occasional accident? A slobbering, nether-region licking, scratching mutt at the next table? What if someone's child were to inadvertently reach out to pet a strange dog?

I contacted my senators and representatives and surprisingly, have already heard back from a couple of them. They don't believe much time will be spent on this bill. In my opinion, it needs to be euthanized quickly and painlessly...

I love dogs and to me it's a pleasant surprise when a dog stops in a bar or other shop. However, not everyone shares my enthusiasm for dogs, and that's completely fair.

So legislation like this acknowledges a culturally accepted practice in this area. That way, bars can make a business decision. Either risk alienating dog owners by saying they don't allow dogs, or risk alienating people who don't like dogs (or are allergic) by saying they allow dogs. At least people allergic to dogs won't be surprised by a dog just sitting next to them.

No Dogs. Just like our representatives to push through laws with no real thought to the possible consequences. What a waste of taxpayer's money.

At the discretion of the bar or restaurant owner, yes this is a good idea. A great marketing idea for the bar or restaurant owners. I would love to have a place to take my dog and hang out. While this may not be palatable to people who do not like dogs, they don't have to patronize these establishments.

If my best friend's a dog, why shouldn't I be able to have a drink with him?

"You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, 'Wow, you're right! I never would've thought of that!' "
- Dave Barry

Maybe that's why I like to drink with my dog.

I think it's pretty cool. It presents a new opportunity for community and down-home ambiance. To the individuals who say "who cares?" or "is it worth a millisecond?" -obviously it is if you're here taking the time to leave posts!

Philip said...
Either risk alienating dog owners by saying they don't allow dogs,

People have managed to go to bars and restaurants for years without the privilege of taking their dogs...why would they be alienated now? Yes, it would be the non-dog loving crowd, those with allergies, those who detest the idea of having a dog at their feet while they eat, who will be alienated...

I own a dog, one of the first things he was taught was to stay out of the dining room at dinner time and if we are snacking in the livingroom, he is not allowed to sit near us. At the very least, it's a bad habit to get into to have dogs interacting this way.

I do hope more sensible heads prevail on this...

So far, there are more comments on this, than there are in the state of the union topic. :)

Well sure we have other issues to deal with but.........I think it is ok for your dog to come out with you. The bar owner needs to have to make a section like the smoking section use to be. Then the people who are against dogs or allergic won't be bothered. Alaska has allowed dogs in bars for years and no one seems to bothered by it.

I love it when a special place for our usually lonely abandoned furry friends can escape the house arrest conditions they are usually forced to suffer.They are naturally social critters.
So allowed in bars... yes defenatly, they did specify well behaved dogs. in restaurants? absolutely not some "nice" dogs can become food aggressive and meal thieves not to mention kids from other tables may feed them things that could make them sick. While your at it you might as well allow smoking in 21 and over bars that ARE NOT attached to any restaurant / airea where a child may go.why just feel sorry for dogs in the cold,what about humanity for humans? Or just the feelings of either group ?

There are plent of bars in Seattle to allow for dogs to be allowed in some bars and not others. It's not like if dogs are allowed in bars every bar will be overrun by mangy, smelly dogs. So if there is a bar that allows dogs and you don't like, go to another bar!!! What are they gonna try to prohibit in bars next, drinking alcohol??

I know there is alot of things that they should be talking about in Olympia then a law about dogs in bars. How about raises for state workers including teachers. How about the money they waste. We voted them in there to change things not goof off.

I love dogs, but this is a BAD idea . Most people cant control their kids in public so i seriously doubt a drunk or in general most people could control their dog in a loud public setting like a bar or restaurant .

I thought washington state screwy; But common...it's funny they would consider allowing an animal (who licks it's butt,and other genitailia)into a dining establishment......but you smokers are the filthy ones......I worked in a bar in astoria that had a resident dog.....a black lab....the amount of hair that was passed off as food was astounding........but alas it was a bar (tavern)....(beer and wine only)....so i doubt the patrons really cared......

No! No! No! Dogs do not belong in bars. The two legged male species are bad enough. I have allergies to animal dander. I also have a fear of large dogs (dog attack as a child). Kids and dogs do not belong in bars. What an assinine proposal and why are our tax dollars wasted to even hear this?? Is common sense an attribute of the past?

"There's really a lot of issues to think about if they allow dogs in bars. Will the dog be agressive around strangers, how will the owner maintain the dog while he/she is drinking, what about picking up after your dog, what about dogs getting into fights with one another, what about allergies?

You also have to remember that those with a disability and a right to use a service dog may be bringing in there dog[s] into the bar, but i'm highly against that."

I think it is wonderful to have dogs in bars and restaurants or hotels or anywhere. In Europe they have been doing this forever and it is most humane, for I see often better and cleaner dogs then children, in particular nowadays.

I'm allergic to people who try to be too political correct.

I think it's a great idea for some restaurant's and bars to allow dogs ~ I agree with the person who said "While this may not be palatable to people who do not like dogs, they don't have to patronize these establishments". I'd love to hang out at a place where I could bring my dogs and meet other people with thier dogs. I think it would be alot of fun!

YESSSSSSS Finally!! This is what I am talking about!! You can tell alot about a person who does or doesn't like animals, and this is what we need. Lighten up!! Dogs are more caring and comforting and have more personality then most people do, Lighten Up!!!

there are health regulations against this now. They have been in place for years, with good reasons. I would not frequent an eating establishment that allowed animals.

No thanks...to dogs, cats, or any pets in bars, restaurants, public places. Many people are allergic to pets plus the pets are a danger to the movement of people and dirty. Have you ever walked by a pickup or vehicle in a mall parking area and been ovewhelmed by a salivating, barking, growling dog? Can you imagine that animal inside a public establishment?

No animal should be allowed to be in an eating establishment. We have food protection laws to keep the public safe from a myriad of foreign germs that animals carry. We need to
remember that animals are unpredictable.
Animals can and will attack with no warning. Seeing Eye service dogs are trained
extensively and are the only animals allowed by law to accompany a disabled person.
Seeing Eye dogs would be the only exception to this issue.

I worked in a small bar where you could walk in on a hot summers night and sip a cool one with your best friend, and not once did it cause a disruption or pee in the corner or bite anyone. However I have seen many a man piss in the corner and bust a beer bottle over someone else's head. By the way this bar was home to Roling Stones number 68th best guitar player in the world. FYI, you should trust that cool people will bring cool dogs in,

This is a great idea!!

I think it's a bad idea. It would ruin my appetite to eat amongst any dogs. What does the health dept have to say?

If you bring your dog, I will bring my cat. I am sure that would make for a grand occassion.
I expect to see a dog in PetCo or PetsMart or a vet, but not Lowes or Home Depot or a bar.
Fido stay at home.

If we ban all animals from restaurants .. would that mean we would become vegetarians ?

Great, another feel good piece of fluff legislation to detract from real problems in the state.
Health regulations forbid any animals but service animals in establishments that serve food. But I loved the interview w/ the bar owner who admitted to "encouraging" his patrons to say their dogs were service animals so they could come into his bar. That's great, a few more people to blatantly violate the law and show disrespect for those who truly need a service dog to maintain some semblance of a normal life.

Any person who can't leave Fido home so they can hang at the local watering hole or go out to eat, have a lot more problems than just wanting to take their "buddy" out on the town.

i think the dog in bars is a good idea they seem to be more frendly then most people and theynever change they like people.

Can I bring my cat? Can my neighbor bring his parakeet? The guy down the street his Vietamnese miniture hog? If not, then that's discrimination. One class favored over another. And as for those who say "if you don't want to be where dogs are go somewhere else", I say if you don't like my smoking go somewhere else as well. Animals should be at home. I am tired of dog poop on sidewalks, they're peeing on everything and hair getting on my clothes. Stupid. Stupid. I was witness to a dog in a Safeway store (who had no tags or leash) lapping at the deli meat. When I mentioned it to security, they said they couldn't do anything. Huh? Keep your dogs home where they belong.

it would definitely be a nice way to socialize with friends and our pups when the weather is crappy and all can be warm and cozy indoors. I doubt it would get out of control. Food might be a bad idea, but as for the pub... i say yes.... come on seattle.

Sure as long as it is a no smoking bar. Why have our best friend struggle to breathe!

How about dog parks with bars?

WELL I AM IN FAVOR OF LETTING 4 LEGGED DOGS IN , BUT NOT 2 LEGGED DOGS.

You know, this has to me one of the most assinine pieces of legislation I've ever heard of. I can understand the allowance for helper animals with those who are disabled, but I believe that most pets should remain at home. I don't care for dogs. They stink and have fleas. I would avoid any bar or restaurant that allowed animals. I certainly don't care to ingest dog hair with my food or drink. I don't have a pet, and I don't want someone else's pet forced on me in a public place. Any animal in a store, restaurant, or bar should be an official trained and licensed helper animal and wearing an official vest. Anything else makes a total mockery of the hard work and dedication of those who need, use and train helper animals.

We have serious problems with our schools, roads, and high crime due to lack of police officers, not to mention the cost of medical care. Fluff issues like this shouldn't even be given a second of the legislature's limited time. The health department rightly bans animals from most establishments for good reason. Perhaps the legislature should be spending their limited time considering how to fix our state's more pressing issues instead of deciding how to continually interfere in the running of private businesses.

NO. PERIOD.

HA HA HA HA HA....ok ok, now that I have stopped laughing...no wait....HA HA HA HA HA...to the question....HA HA HA HA......NO...are you kidding me....with all the issues in the State...dogs in bars....well the brilliant individual/s that thought this one up....instead of take a kid to work day have take a dog to Congress day....I bet a lot more GOOD would come out on that day......HA HA HA HA HA...are you kidding...

NO!!!!!! I have six dogs and love them.They do not need to be in a bar or resterant . Guide dogs, fine.Even if no one objected and every thing were going fine, along comes a dog that bites Or worse. As it is they come out to sidewalks and roads to attack. No No No

Unfortunately, dogs and kids, people don't/can't control either. Those of us who have dogs that would pose absolutely no problem in bars have to pay a price because of those people who have dogs who misbehave in general, everywhere/anywhere. My dog is in control at all times, but there are too many who aren't in control ever. The dogs can't be blamed, it's not bad dogs, it's bad owners. Too bad, but I say no, dogs shouldn't be allowed in bars.

It should be up to the owners of the restaurants.

This is just another contriversial bit of nonsence to get some political hacks name in the news. If this is the best idea for a law that this guy can come up with than we are all in serious trouble. I would rather them spend there time and my tax dollars enacting a law that would require a certain amount of reflective surface on anything a child rides on or in. Further more I care to much for my dog just to have some drunk ass try to give my dog a drink.

imagine kneeling down to get something off the bottom shelf at a grocery store and putting your hand in a pool of dog piss. you dont think dogs will do the same thing there that they do on every single tree and plant, or any other object, in a public park? and are we going to make store employees pick up dog crap because you know well that half the owners who would bring their dog into the store wouldn't pick it up in the first place? way to go reps, glad to see my tax dollars going toward such a useful cause. im sure parents would just love a pitbull snarling at their 3 year old at mcdonalds.

Dogs do not belong in restaurants. What else can I say ? The next pet will be snakes? Lizards ? Cats ? Mice ? Monkeys ? Squirrels ?
Birds ? Alligators ? Crocodiles ? Goldfish (in the bowl) ? Throw in a gorilla or two ?
How about a Great White....that's how ridiculous this all sounds. The Rep that put that legislation forward needs to have his/her head examined.

Ok, we can at least thank Mr. Jacobsen for providing some comedy relief for a few days. Clearly the majority of you have more common sense than he does. Maybe he's just been on the job too many years (since 1983) and is trying to spice up his daily routine of doing nothing constructive for us in Olympia other than supporting our state Hops industry with our tax dollars. So let's do the right thing and relieve him of his duties next election cycle - which unfortunately isn't until 2011. God help us!

What a topic !!! WHO is going to be held LIABLE when someone who is seriously allergic to dogs has a major medical problem and finds themselves in the local hospital emergency room. And what other wild pets will be allowed? You allow one and then what, more? The person who put this legislation up needs to be removed from office.

I have to add one more thing....

My good friend Carlos Mencia had something to add to this discussion:
"Dogs in a restaurant"
DE DE DE

Why don't we just let the bar owner decide if he/she wants dogs, smokers, etc in their establishment? The consumer can decide whether they want to eat there or not. 63 million American households have pets so I am sure drinking or eating around a dog is no big deal for many people.

Dogs should be allowed if the bar owner doesn't mind. If a dog was aggressive, it could be kicked out, just like so many poor tempered humans can be asked to leave. If the people don't like a dog in the bar, they can go to another bar. For those of you who think bars will suddenly be overrun with canines if this law passes, well, you are a bit paranoid and likely have an unstable temperament in general, and should probably be spayed/neutered(so you don't pass this unstable, weak nerved temperament onto offspring).

Where's the liability going to fall? Are bar owners going to have to obtain excess insurance? Or is it going to follow the owner? Who will police the dogs? Are dogs decent judges of character when one is drunk? Are people good judges of dog characters when they are drunk? Or am I going to have to worry about some idiot bringing his attack trained pit bull in?

If we actually are going to push forward with this legislation then Olympia also needs to fully define what the maximum alcohol percentage will be a dog walking in public can be before it will be a BUI (barking under influence).

WHO CARES!!! Why waste time on this stupid trivia? We have terrorists vowing to destroy our country, our innocent children are abused by deviants, meth is killing our teenagers, and YOU CARE ABOUT DOGS IN BARS??????????????????????

Only seeing eye dogs as they are working animals. Many persons are allergic to animals and some have fears of some animals. SEEING EYE DOGS ONLY----LEAVE THE OTHERS OUT.