Governor Kasich has signed a bill this week that would allow retail food establishments or food service operators to allow dogs in an outdoor dining area of an establishment.
House Bill 263 was introduced in April after Rep. Lanese heard from constituents that it was illegal for them to bring their dog to local patio restaurants. Lawmakers have not yet announced when the law will go into effect.
Dogs will still be prohibited from coming inside the restaurant unless they're area service animal. Under the legislation, sanitary procedures will be put in place for patio dining area to protect other patrons such as procedures for cleaning up dog waste and hand washing requirements for employees.
Last year, News 5 reported that the Cuyahoga County Board of Health said it's illegal for dogsto be on patios, but they don't enforce it.
“In general, if an animal is in an outdoor area and it’s not creating a nuisance, we probably don’t bother with it, we maybe just speak to the owner of the facility to ensure that sanitary practices are being followed,” said Suzanne Krippel of the Food Protection Unit at the Cuyahoga County Board of Health.
Dog loves patios as much as humans do. Here are suggestions to places that welcome dogs, according to Yelp.
- Platform Brewery—4125 Lorain Ave.
- Rising Star Coffee and Roasters– 1455 W. 29th St.
- Nano Brew— 1859 W. 25th St
- Edison's Pub—2372 Professor Ave.
- Fat Cats— 2061 W. 10th St.
- Merwin's Wharf— 1785 Merwin Ave.
Long before lawmakers made it legal for owners to bring their dogs to outside patios, Cleveland always has been a friendly city to our four-legged friends. Trip Advisor named Cleveland among the top 20 cities that are friendly to our furry pets—and we're not surprised. With a Metropark system that spans more than 23,000 acres and has 300 miles of trails and lakefront parks, Cleveland's parks offer your dogs a getaway from his or her daily grind of walks, naps and endless treats.
Edgewater Park was mentioned in Trip Advisor's list because of its pet-friendly beach, which got us thinking, "What are the best places to take your dog in Cleveland?"
Here are a few suggestions:
Downtown Cleveland Dog Park—located near Settlers Landing Rapid Station in the Flats, this location is a fenced-in dog park. After a playful time in the park, you can take your furry friend on a stroll along the Cuyahoga River.
Lakewood Dog Park— Take advantage of the nice weather while you can by visiting the Lakewood Dog Park located at 1699 Valley Parkway.
Keyser Dog Park— located off Keyser Parkway in Cuyahoga Falls, this is a good park where you can unleash your dog in a two-acre fenced-in area. During those dog days of summer, water is available to keep your pet hydrated.
Mall B— located at the Huntington Convention Center, this spacious green area is a great space for adults to relax while giving their dogs room to run around. It's in downtown, so you can walk to a nearby restaurant or down by the pier.
Have a hidden you take your dog that you want to share with other animal lovers? Email us at Kaylyn.Hlavaty@wews.com.
