NY To Allow Dogs in Outdoor Dining Areas?

Will man's best friend be allowed to join the family for dinner? New York just may start allowing dogs in outdoor dining areas.

A proposed bill may change this. The New York State Senate voted to tweak the law that currently prohibits pets in restaurants. The bill is sponsored by (R) Sen. Kemp Hannon who says his measure would ensure the dogs don't pose a health hazard. Under the bill, restaurants that choose to allow dogs would have to have a separate entrance for the outdoor dining area. Dogs would have to be leashed, and restaurant servers would be prohibited from playing with the animals.

The bill has been sent to the Assembly. California is the currently only state that allows dogs in restaurant patio areas.