Plano City Council votes to allow dogs at some restaurant patios

Dogs will soon be welcome customers on the patios at some Plano restaurants -- the Plano City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to allow dogs to sit one table over if the restaurant chooses.

Dogs aren't going to be running rampant in the Collin County city's restaurants, though. It's not a blanket ordinance -- any Plano restaurant with a patio wanting dogs has to apply for a permit.

The city council said it will likely affect five establishments, but this makes many canine companions happy.

The Katy Trail Icehouse in Plano wants pets as much as their people.

"If you don't want 'em, you don't have to have 'em here," said Tucker Covington, the general manager of the business.

The Katy Trail Icehouse Outpost in uptown Dallas is a haven for dogs, pups and their partners. When the restaurant expanded to Plano last June, the owners believed the same rules applied.

"When we opened, we didn't know you weren't allowed to have dogs on the patio in Plano," said Covington.

At the Plano City Council meeting, the debate was put to rest. The ordinance requires all patio tables and chairs to be easily cleanable and sanitized, and animal waste must be picked up within five minutes and disposed of in an appropriate receptacle away from the kitchen.

While on duty, the wait staff cannot pet dogs, and the patio must be continually cleaned.

"There is some pet owner responsibility," said Natalie Graham who supports the ordinance. "You can't let your dog get in someone's face or up on their table while they're eating. There's some etiquette to it, but it's not that complicated."

View original post here:
Plano City Council votes to allow dogs at some restaurant patios