by Stephany Elsworth

Created on: August 14, 2010

Allowing any dogs other than service animals into restaurants is a disastrous idea that could result in a wide range of health concerns, safety issues, and legal liabilities for a restaurant owner. 

Dogs that are not wormed on a regular basis are the potential carriers of a wide variety of parasitic species, including roundworm, hookworm and tapeworm. The parasite eggs are passed through the anal opening to surfaces where the dog sits. They are also passed through feces, vomit, and occasionally through saliva. Although most pet owners are responsible individuals that take their animals to the veterinarian on a regular basis for worming and health checks, it is unfair to ask restaurant patrons to take the chance of becoming the human host to a parasite or to run the risk of having their own pets infected.

Not all dogs are tolerant of other dog breeds. Placing dogs of multiple sizes, breeds and temperaments together in a closed environment is a recipe for disaster. A dog can easily slip off a leash or away from its owner even under the best of circumstances and attack another animal. This situation could potentially be heartbreaking for a pet owner and has the potential of becoming a legal liability for both the attacking pet's owner as well as the restauranteur. 

Dogs are omnivorous, and they will eat nearly anything. Many foods are unhealthy or potentially deadly for dogs. Imagine the havoc that would ensue if a waiter happened to drop a slice of chocolate cake - a known poison to dogs - on the floor, where small but willing jaws devoured every bite. Again, this could result in legal proceedings against the restaurant owner. 

Most pet owners are responsible individuals that housebreak their pets, but unfortunately, many people do not. Animals can have housebreaking accidents even under the best of circumstances, and the chances are excellent that a dog will become overexcited or feel the need to exert his dominance by spraying or marking on something. 

Finally, the safety of restaurant guests and wait staff can be endangered by allowing dogs into restaurants. Although there is a great deal of hype about the danger of bully breeds, the truth is that any dog can bite a person under the right set of circumstances. Again, legal liabilities can ensue for the restaurant owner if a child that attempts to pet the 'cute puppy' at the neighboring table is bitten by the frightened animal, or if an overprotective guard dog misunderstands when the waiter begins to remove items from the table and takes a chunk out of the person's pants leg. 

In the end, there are plenty of places where people can take their dogs for recreation, such as dog parks, pet stores and agility courses. Allowing dogs into restaurants is a serious legal risk for the restaurant owner, a health and safety risk for the pet owners, and last, it can be a serious safety issue for the pets as well.

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