Doggie Dining: What Palm Harbor's Saying

The news that restaurants in Palm Harbor could soon allow doggie dining has gotten Patch readers talking.

Planners in Pinellas County are moving forward with an amendment to the land development code that would make some dining locations dog friendly. If county commissioners approve the code amendment, restaurants in Palm Harbor and other unincorporated areas of Pinellas would be allowed to apply for a permit to designate outdoor dining spots for dogs.

That news didn't sit well with some Palm Harbor Patch readers, while others are all for it.

Here is a sampling of what they had to say. Agree or disagree? Be sure to post a comment below to continue the conversation!

jeffrey story: "The public will let the restaurants know if they want it or not by either going to their establishment or not......just the way capitalism is intended to work."

Jennifer Tierney: "I'd love to be able to stop by LuLu's while out walking my dog for lunch or a cold drink!"

Tracy Talley: "I will be sure to support Lulu's and Thirsty Marlin as opposed to Peggy O'Neils which we have never been in because of the "no dogs allowed" sign in front. We've spent many a lovely evening dining at Thirsty Marlin with our little dog at our table. Our dog is part of our family and hate to leave her home when we decide to go out to eat. ..."

Karen E Cupstid: "It's not always about how well behaved a dog is. The other day we were walking by a restaurant where dogs were allowed in the outside dining area. The dog shook and hair flew everywhere. I love my two little dogs but they don't have to come to dinner with me and I would hate if they caused hair to get on tables or in someone's meal and they are not happy sometimes with other dogs. They like their personal (dog) space. ..."

Masterfly01: "This has been tried in the past in Saint Pete and surrounding areas and always with a bad ending. I for one will not eat where dogs are aloud. I go out for a nice dinner and the last thing I want is dogs sniffing around using the ground for other things(and they all do so hold your breath with comments on that one). ..."

Howard: "I was stationed in Germany for three years. My German Shepherd was welcomed in some very fine restaurants. He behaved well and owners and staff treated him as a minor god. ... Many times in restaurants I have wished people with noisy, undisciplined children would take them outside to make room for a person with a good dog."

DannyFitz: "I hate to break it to everyone, but dogs are animals and restaurants were designed for humans. As much as you may think of your dog as a member of your family, he's still a dog....hate to break that cold hard fact to you. ..."

Kelly Hug: "Absolutely disgusting. I have no desire to eat near a dog at a Restaurant. They have fleas. They smell & even the sweetest looking dog may bite. If I see a dog at a restaurant I will leave. They're for people not animals. Not to mention they pee & poop. Nasty."

Sign up for the Palm Harbor Patch email newsletter to get more of our top headlines, event listings, blog posts and announcements delivered to your inbox each day, for free!

Related Coverage

• Doggie Dining: Restaurant Owners Divided About Implementing It