Oregon statehouse to be dog-free

SALEM, Ore. — Lawmakers can't end the partisan bickering, but they're going to stop the barking.

In an effort to instill a more professional atmosphere — and protect their expensive new furniture — legislative leaders plan to ban dogs from the statehouse. Service dogs, such as those that assist the blind, would remain welcome.

Taxpayers recently spent $34 million to renovate and refurnish the Capitol's office wing, so there's incentive to keep pets off the new couches and carpet. Leaders say the goal is to have the restriction in place by the time the 2009 session starts in January.

The rules would apply even to Gov. Ted Kulongoski's dog, Hershey.

"We have re-created a professional environment in the Legislature," said House Speaker-elect Dave Hunt, D-Gladstone. "The posters that used to be up on the walls in the hallways and the dogs in certain offices and that general fraternity environment is gone, and I think that's a good thing."

Sen. Betsy Johnson, D-Scappoose, a member of the Legislative administration committee, is even more adamant that animals have no place in the statehouse. At a recent hearing, she wanted it made clear that the definition of a service animal is a narrow one.

"By service animal, I'm talking about an animal that is a Seeing Eye dog, or assists a deaf person," she said. "A traditional definition versus someone who says they have to have their cat with them as a companion."

Washington state has no policy regarding animals inside its Capitol, but employees are discouraged from bringing their pets to work.

Rep. Brian Clem, a Salem Democrat who brought his dog to the Capitol daily during the 2007 session, says he understands taxpayers just paid for new carpet. But, he notes, "Ooji" is house trained.

"If they do want to do the rule, I can live with it, Clem told The Oregonian newspaper. "Though I do think something will be lost."