Senator wants dog-friendly bars

OLYMPIA — If dog-loving lawmakers prevail, Fido could soon be sidling up to bar stools around the state under a measure that would allow well-behaved, leashed canines to join their human companions as they down their favorite microbrews.

The measure was introduced by Sen. Ken Jacobsen, D-Seattle, who got the idea at the Fish Tale Brewpub, formerly known as the Fish Bowl, a downtown Olympia staple where he's a regular.

"I was sitting at the Fish Bowl looking at all the dogs outside sitting in the cold and the rain, while all the owners were warm inside," said Jacobsen, who doesn't own a dog. "There's all sorts of places you can bring animals now. You can take dogs into hotels. My God, some people are carrying dogs in their purses. Why can't we have them in the bars?"

The measure has a public hearing before the Senate Labor, Commerce, Research & Development Committee on Tuesday.

The bill would allow bars and restaurants with liquor licenses to welcome dogs, as long as the canines accompany their owners and remain leashed.

Establishments wouldn't be required to allow dogs unless they are service animals. And Jacobsen's favorite haunt would likely stay dog-free.

"We usually have a crowd, so having the animal being a part of that atmosphere would be difficult," said Lyle Morse, of the company that owns the Fish Tale. "And this is coming from a dog owner."

Janna Goodwin, of the National Conference of State Legislatures, said she could not find any other states with such a law on the books.

In Florida last summer, then-Gov. Jeb Bush signed the so-called "doggie dining" bill that permitted local governments to allow restaurants to admit dogs.

"I know there will be people who are concerned or who don't like the bill," Jacobsen said. "I imagine I'll get a lot of criticism, like, 'Don't you have something more important to do?' Well, talk to the dog lovers. In my mind, it's giving them some flexibility."

Lisa Owens, owner of The Mark restaurant in Olympia, agreed.

She said she wouldn't change the policy at her sit-down restaurant but would like the law to pass so she could bring her 112-pound rottweiler, Ida, with her if she went to meet friends at bars.

"If people were asking me to go somewhere and I could bring my dog, I might be more likely to go," she said.

But Mike Duffy, walking along a pier with his German shorthaired pointer, Emma, said he didn't think it was a great idea.

"If you want to take your dog out, go for a walk," he said. "If you want to go to the bar, leave the dog outside or at home."

Health officials said the current state rule banning pets from restaurants and bars is based on a national food-code standard set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.