Doggedly pursuing a friendly ordinance

Chicago alderman Timmy Knudsen (43rd) has proposed an ordinance to allow dogs in restaurants:

Right now, Chicago restaurants are prohibited from serving patrons accompanied by dogs — either indoors or outdoors — unless that customer has a service dog.

Although the ban is widely ignored and sporadically enforced, usually in response to a complaint, restaurant owners allow dogs at their own risk and sometimes face the consequences.

The ordinance, slated for introduction at Thursday’s City Council meeting, is tailor-made to resolve the health department’s food safety concerns.

Restaurant owners who post signs declaring themselves dog-friendly would be free to welcome patrons and their leashed dogs inside or outside their establishments without fear of inspection or fine.

Dogs would be limited to one per table. They could only be provided with water — not food or table scraps — either by their owners or by restaurant employees.

The other restrictions outlined in the proposed ordinance make sense. I wouldn't necessarily want to see dogs in certain kinds of places, like buffets or anywhere that has self-service food, as I have seen both my dogs do their own self-service. At the very least, I would hope the city allows dogs unequivocally in outdoor patios.

I have emailed my own alderman to express support of the propsal.