Continued: Dogs get a paw in the sidewalk cafe door

Lisa Goodman's crusade to dine legally with her golden doodle, Sadie, in outdoor restaurant spaces in Minneapolis is on the verge of success.

Her proposal to let licensed, leashed dogs into sidewalk cafes or other outdoor seating areas -- with certain safeguards -- won initial council approval Wednesday. Full approval is expected June 20.

For Goodman, it's an effort to legalize what she and some other dog owners already were doing. She said she and Sadie together had visited a number of Loring Park area cafes near her condo before one informed her that state regulations don't allow dogs, except service dogs.

So Goodman took her case to the Legislature, which passed a law allowing cities to opt for dogs in outdoor restaurant spaces. The day after Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed the bill, Goodman introduced her plans to have Minneapolis lead the way.

She said the ordinance puts Minneapolis in the cosmopolitan class of places such as New York, Chicago and European cities. The city has more than 200 outdoor dining and drinking spaces. Regulatory staff estimated that only a handful will opt for dogs, but Goodman thinks the number could top 50.

Dog advocates said the proposal allows owner and dog more time together, often after the dog is cooped up alone during the workday.

"People are going to go out more often and stay out longer," said Anne Hendrickson, owner of a downtown day care and boarding facility for dogs.

The city won't charge extra for dog-friendly eateries. Places may designate all or part of their outdoor seating. The proposed ordinance prohibits employees from handling dogs, and dogs must be kept away from dishes and other table items. And water dishes must be provided for dogs.

And for bad dogs? If there's an, er, accident, waste must be cleaned immediately and the area sanitized. Dogs declared dangerous or potentially dangerous by the city are barred.

For canines who can't resist the temptation to grab a steak from a neighboring table, restaurants will have the same recourse they do with humans: the right to refuse service.

Steve Brandt • 612-673-4438