I don't think dogs should be allowed in tavens or restaurants, I know when I go to eat at a restuarant I don't want to find a staring dog watching me eat my food, let alone a piece of dog hair in my food.

no!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't want to eat or drink with an animal begging for food!

I don't think that ALL dogs should be allowed in taverns or other eating establishments other than service animals. My Service Dogs, as well as those of my friends, are trained that when we enter a resturant or an eating establishment, they are to get under the table and put their heads down and stay put until we are ready to leave. Most dogs that I come across are not as well trained as their owners think they are. I personally don't like dogs staring at me when I am eating. So, my answer is that not all animals should be allowed in eating establishments.

Our roads are old. The floating bridges could sink. The Governor and Mayor of Seattle are deciding between viaduct and tunnel. Hundreds of thousands of Washingtonians don't have healthcare. Schools need help. I feel that the "dogs in bars" issue, and other like it, rob government of its focus on issues of critical importance. My wife and I feel that the legislature should drop this issue and get back to work.

I think dogs should be allowed in bars and restaurants, as long as their owners take the proper measures to keep them well groomed and restrained. They are our best friend, after all.

YES!! By all means I am FOR ALLOWING DOGS IN TAVERNS. I would rather take a chance on consuming a dog hair in my food and having a dog stare at me while dining, than its owner.
After all, we build up an immunity to our own hygiene practices, so it would be beneficial for all of us to start building up our immune systems!! LOL

Robert: I enjoy your insighful and thought-provoking programs. Dogs in public eating areas is a "no-brainer" - the answer is "NO!" Why? Even though I am an animal lover, when my wife and I go out, we like to relax and be catered to by the restaurant/bar we may select. If I have to worry about a dog eyeing my plate, how relaxing is that. I would not go to a restaturant/bar that allows pets. If we get a sitter for the kids, pet owners should get a sitter for their pets. Doggone sincerely, John

First of all if this all our elected officials have to do, they should either take a pay decrease or resign their position. I can understand the guide/service dog and do not have a problem with that. The owner however should be required to carry the appropriate documentation that it is indeed a ligitmate service animal. If everyone started bringing their animals to taverns and restaurants, chaos would begin; should we not be considerate to those who have allergies to animal hair. I firmly believe that one's rights stop when it interfers with the rights of someone else. I am a pet lover and have been most of my life; but I also try to be considerate of people who may not have the same feelings as I.

There are enough fights between drunk and disorderly humans without adding dog attacks to the problem. Even the best behaved dog can go crazy under certain circumstances. Medical dogs are few and far between and go through extensive training before being put into service. Also the breeds selected are of the non-aggresive type. Do you really want to see how a pit bull reacts to a bar atmosphere?

Seems to me the Tavern owner should have the right (freedom) to decide if he/she wants to allow dogs in their Tavern. If I don't like it I'll go some where else. (My freedom of choice) If it's not a good idea, then business will tell them that. Seems we try to much to impose our desires on to other peoples freedoms.

Hello im happy to be a dog owner myself and speaking on behalf of my four legged friend and family member there are a couple of things i would like to discuss concerning this matter. First i currently take my dog to the bar, mainly on non busy nights so she doesnt get stomped on, she loves to interact with the people and they all love her there. Since there is no food served at this establishment there are no health code violations and we all have a good time. I can understand under why people would not want dogs at a restaurant because i dont enjoy being stared at while eating either. The bottom line here is im all for having controlled dogs at the bar. Dogs to many are considered to be very close pals and dont we like to hangout with our pals at the bar? besides women love em...wink wink....

Dogs in public eating establishments?? No, No, No!! Whose dumb idea is this, anyway? I can't even imagine what it would be like to go out to eat and have other people's animals around. I like animals, but I don't allow mine around the table while we are eating. People are so often inconsiderate - can you imagine what their response would be if you objected to the behavior of their pet? Heaven help us.

Restaurants issue: Sometime we find human hair in our food. Heck some people are just as hairy as dogs....lol...

I agree with gary. Sounds like we needd a complete change of elected officals if this what they come up with. Keep all animals not just dogs(except service dogs) where any food or beverage is sold. This includes grocery stores where i've seen people put their animals in the carts where people place their food. Keep animals out of food and drink areas!!!!

Absolutely no. Do you know how dog hair flys and even if the dog is not in the "prep" room, his hair will be there as well as in the glasses we drink from and any food we eat. No thank you. Please, no dogs in the bars. I will quit going anyplace where animals are allowed to go. I haven't seen a service dog in a tavern for years so don't give me that. Do you also think about how few people have really clean dogs? Not many I'm afraid.

I think it should be only allowed in the bar, and up to the bar owners to deside if its ok....

When will Robert Mak learn how to pronounce English properly? he can not even say Seattle. Do he and Ken Jacobsen not have much more important issues to discuss than dogs in taverns and bars? If they do not they are both idiots. Larry Mohrman

Dogs in bars?????What about the people who are allergic to animals? Would there be a liability here if someone gets sick because of the animals???

If we're so afraid of dogs and hygiene, perhaps we shouldn't allow children in restaurants either. You want to talk about germs?! Yuck...

Kidding aside, ultimately it should be up to the business owner. If the demand is there and they think it's appropriate to allow dogs in their establishment...great. Then it's up to you whether you want to patronize a place where dogs are allowed. See...everybody's happy...especially the dog!

There is a reason for the health codes. They are there to protect the public. Period. NO dogs in public restaurants/bars....please!
I love dogs, they are probably the greatest pets man can have, but there are limits and there are courtesy rules not to impose on other people what you accept.

My husband has asthma, and his exacerbations are most frequently brought on by his allergies to dogs and cats. We were thrilled to finally be able to go to bars and restaurants when smoking was banned - I don't want to have to avoid them again because animals are surrounding us. I would hope the people of Seattle would be compassionate enough not to place bringing their pets into eating establishments above the comfort of those suffering with asthma.

Heck yes let the dogs in.

ABSOLUTELY!!! Dogs at a Tavern is fine. I take my dog to the pub all the time! As long as the dog is well mannered and isn't obnoxious. I definately would like to see the Pub owner have the choice to allow it, or not. However, I don't think dogs should be allowed in food establishments, just Pubs that don't serve food. I do see the begging as a problem with that scenario. sTeVo

Dogs + Beer + People = Fun

What a great way to break the ice at a bar.

I hope someone shares this blog with Ken "I've been getting lots of positive response" Jacobson. dear god.

Humans have been drinking alcohol (beer) and living with dogs for thousands of years.

The lawmakers have much more important things to do. IT REALLY DOESN'T MATTER! WHO CARES!

Let the bar owner decide. Dogs or no dogs.

I thought this was a joke as I was only hearing about it second hand. Tonight I saw it on TV and as soon as I saw that the Senator sponsoring this was a democrat it all made perfect [non]sense. But what the heck, hopefully the dog won't be driving drunk when it leaves the bar,so go ahead, we wouldn't want to deny any rights to any animal. I can now go to bed and sleep so much better knowing that all the important issues have evidently been taken care of by our illustrious lawmakers. Are we really paying these guys for this?

There's is no way dogs should be allowed in bars or restaurants. This is ridiculous. Slob, fur and flees need to be left in your own home. I love dogs but don't have one and don't want one and certainly don't want to see nor smell one while I'm trying to enjoy my food and drinks. Senator Jacbosen, you have wasted enough time with this.

This is pitiful! When there is only 3 months in the legislative session, and there are so many other MUCH more important issues to be addressed, the stupidity of Sen. Jacobsen is abhorent. He should be addressing tighter punishment for car theft, transportation, education, etc. What a waste of his district's votes. If dogs were allowed in taverns and restaurants, the propensity for allergies is just as much a health concern as smoke. Only smoke doesn't beg for the customers food. And, who's to determine whether a dog is well behaved, or not........ an insane, poorly thought-out idea.

allow dogs everywhere! stop complaining abt dogs in restaurants and bars. seems pet owners feel the need to bring their pet to the grocery store, department store, on the bus, on the downtown sidewalks with 15' leashes. what's the harm in allowing the animal in tavenr? walking bare pawed in the spilled beer, at least fido will have the cleanest paws in the place.

Sorry no dogs period ,except service dogs.I have seen owners let their dog eat off the table.What is next chickens,pigs.horse.Now who is responsible when the dog bites somebody?Who do I sue?

I think it should be up to the restaurant/ bar owner. The bar that raised this whole ultimatum should be allowed to and if you are allergic to pet dander or such then you dont need to go there. I am for having dogs allowed at places that choose to allow them. I also see where others are coming from when they say they dont want dogs eyeing their plates I dont think i would lik eit either but if i chose to go to a restaurant that allowed pets i would be know that i chose to go there. Theres my input.-ck

If we kept smoking out of bars due to allergies and such why on earth should we be able to bring dogs into bars!? THINK PEOPLE THINK!

Yes let us in the bars and resteraunts. We are not as bad as some of the patrons that are allowed to mingle in these places. Heck some of them should be kept on leashes just like the animals you are so worried about.

I work at a bar that has always been a 'dog bar'. I had been bringing my dog to work with me and keeping her leashed behind the bar; however, she recently has became the focus of some controversy. One patron entered the bar yelling, she barked, and he replied,"Shut up you stupid dog or I'll kick your teeth in." Many drunks are unpredictable assholes. My boss has a doberman who he allows to shit and piss all over the basement floor. I have spent hours cleaning up after his dog. To protect my housebroken dog from false accusations and loudmouth, stupid drunks, I've decided to leave her at home from now on.

Dogs are allowed to go into pubs all over England and they've been doing it for years--lighten up, people.

NO NO NO especially in restaurants which I have seen lately and don't like it.Further more I think the people who claim that their dog is a service dog should have to prove it if asked to.Many have vests on their dogs and absolutely no verification what so ever that should stop!!!