Health Concerns About Dogs in Restaurants

The Food and Drug Administration prohibits live animals, excluding fish in fish tanks and service animals, in restaurants. Although states are required to enforce their own health codes, they must also comply with FDA standards. Many people believe that if a dog is well groomed, dewormed and up to date on shots, they should not be barred from public places. Certain restaurants now allow dogs in outdoor seating, and Florida is the first state to allow dogs in outdoor seating without question.

  1. Bathroom Accidents

    • This is probably the most obvious reason restaurants do not allow dogs inside. Many dogs, regardless of being potty trained, will defecate in an unknown environment. It might be a territorial maneuver, or the dog might just be nervous being around the noise and people. This obviously presents a health concern. If a dog were to have an accident, someone at the restaurant would be required to clean the area. No restaurant patron wants that around their food.

    Dog's Health Condition

    • Owners are responsible for maintaining a healthy pet. This isn't always the case because fleas, ticks and excess shedding are just a few common concerns people have with dogs. Having any of those things in a restaurant is a health hazard. If just one restaurant employee were to pet a dog and not wash her hands and then serve a patron with a dog allergy, ramifications are both dangerous and could lead to a lawsuit.

    Service Animals

    • The only animals allowed in a restaurant with a guest are service animals. Service dogs in particular are trained to do anything from helping a blind owner see to listening for heart palpitations. Service dogs are rigorously trained from a young age and are used to crowds and unfamiliar places. It is illegal for a restaurant owner to refuse entry of a service animal. However, it is not required for the dog or owner to have identification of the service animal. Some people might try to gain entry by claiming their dog is a service animal when it isn't. Most of the time, service dogs are identified by their red or orange vests.