I love you Bill!!! <3

Finally, a voice of reason. I'd be interested to know what the "complaints" were. I mean, was it complaints from the few restaurants that don't allow dogs on their patios? People with severe allergies to dogs? A little context might help me understand why, exactly, my dog is now considered a threat to the health and well-being of the people of Salem.

This is not a public health issue. It's a mental health issue. Someone needs to see a shrink.

"There have been complaints." Is there one instance when a diner at a dog-friendly outdoor cafe became sick because a well-behaved dog was lying quietly at his owner's feet at a nearby table.? How many dogs have been asked to leave outdoor cafes that serve alcoholic beverages after becoming drunk?

It's time for The Million Dog March to City Hall Annex.

Could you please list these scammers so I can buy certification for my critter.
If there is a way to enjoy hanging out in Salem and being in compliance with the statute, everyone should get one.

My dog "Wally" and I hang out often at a few of the dog-friendly cafes. If he's a nuisance why do so many people drinking and eating at the same places frequently ask, "Is it ok if I say hello to/pet your dog?" Yeah, my dog is ruining the dining public's culinary pleasure and threatening their health. Maybe the Health Agent should declare a public health emergency? I wonder if the Health Agent has checked the personal hygene of some of the people I see eating at the same places. I'm certain my dog is cleaner than a few I've seen recently.

I'm also guessing it's "Lack of Common Sense Month" in Salem.

The Hungry Whale is plenty pet friendly on the outside. It is considered common area, so please come on down and enjoy a take-out lunch and utilize some of the patio table and chairs that are available.

It's sad. As Salem residents, local restaurant owners, and dog lovers, my wife and I have long enjoyed being able to bring our dogs to many of the local restaurants' patios. Salem is a dog friendly town and this is one reason why we chose to make our home here. As Bill rightly points out this law is unenforceable and really does nothing but make the public angry at city officials.

Leash and tether our public officials, for a start. Or I got a better idea have them work on the City problems during their brief work week, instead of stating their perceived problem they may have.

My dog Wally knows the poop is going to hit the fan when more people learn about this stupidity. I'm hoping the Mayor will take my advice and suggest to the BOH chairwoman, Dr Paremba (978 745 0061), that she take Mr. Ramdin out for lunch today (at a dog-unfriendly outdoor cafe so he wont be traumatized) and remind him what City he works for and what the people who live AND VOTE there value.

"Complaints"? They think they got complaints before? Now they have a LOT of us angry and in a uproar.

This, no doubt, is the result of a couple of rusty, squeaky wheels. The minority should lose on this one, and in a big way. If other cities, including Boston, accommodate dogs, what makes the city admin think Salem is so special? Or rather, not so special?

We've got bigger fish to fry here. MUCH bigger.

You go, Bill!

You just know some misanthrope(s) complained (can we say, Murphy's?), and the city capitulated to the few, at the expense of the many, as gov’t too frequently does.

If some of the most over regulated places in the country accommodate dogs in restaurants, WTH is up with this backwater???

Dog Friendly Restaurants and Places to Eat in Boston
http://www.dogboston.com/4dogplaces/restaurant.htm

(^ This would be MENINO’s Boston! And he’s pretty quick to regulate.)

Dog Friendly Restaurants in New York, NY
http://www.bringfido.com/restaurant/city/new_york_ny_us/

California Dog-Friendly Outdoor Restaurant Guide
http://www.dogfriendly.com/server/travel/guides/rest/reststateCA.shtml

Search, dog friendly restaurants, there are loads of other examples. As the country progresses, adapting to pet owners (GREAT for business), Salem backpedals.

Birds, bugs, things that carry on the wind, all enter patio space. Yet the well behaved dog is banished. Pffft.

Heh, if someone tells a restaurant that their dog is a service dog, no one can ask for proof, not even the health agent. Yes, I do see that Million Dog March in our futures. So glad I own a service dog. ;-)

“Larry Ramdin [BoH] has expressed an interest in working to find a way to create [an] exemption.” There's light? PLEEEEASE! FIX THIS!!!

Hey, maybe we should outlaw al fresco dining altogether. You know what birds do in the air.

This is federal law.

http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/livingwithepilepsy/healthandwellness/General-Rights-of-Individuals-with-Service-Animals.cfm

If there are people who are abusing the law, that's a pity and a shame. However, honestly, the people who are squeamish, phobic, or allergic to dogs should *most of them* take a hard step back and consider why this law is in place.

I will happily trade you your antihistimines for your dander allergy for the lifetime of anti-convulsants I'll be taking to prevent seisures, which in turn prevent me from thinking clearly except by what seems like heroic effort.

I don't use an alert dog that can tell when I am going to have an episode, as some people do. Some people have a dog to revive them at the end of a grand mal. These service dogs don't wear harness or insignia, and a person with epilepsy doesn't walk with a green cane.

Some disabilities are relatively invisible, and some prefer to carry on with what dignity we can. People who abuse our hard won privileges are sad leeches on our misfortune. People who get self righteous about our privileges... I hope only need education in what's involved.

Fonzanoon, I wasn't saying Murphy's complained. I was referring to a previous situation, when some residents who moved in close proximity to a bar then complained about said bar. And this isn't/wasn't the only place that took/takes heat.

The dog situation is similar. It's existed with less - no, NO - controversy, nor harm to anyone, to my knowledge; and now some whiners want it changed. I've no doubt they are in the minority.

Know what? It wouldn't surprise me if the exact same people who complain about the music downtown are the ones behind this, also. Funny. A lot of the same restaurants are involved.

I want to SEE the alleged complaints. If they exist, they're public records. Does anyone have the time today or tomorrow morning to go to City Hall Annex (4th floor) and make a request for copies of the "complaints" under the Public Records Act? And dont let anyone there tell you they have to "research the records" and will call you when they find the complaints.

The law you mentioned says you have to allow service animals, but is there a law (State or City) that says you CAN'T allow non-service animals? Because the issue is about "civilian" dogs, not working ones. So, is there 'actually' a law/ordinance banning animals, or is it just a perception?
I'd like to know just what the complaints said. I've seen many dogs at outdoor dining areas and not once have I ever heard barking or seen bad behavior. The worst I've come across has been drooling and soulful eyes staring longingly at the plate. I'll take that over the woman changing her baby on the table next to me. True story, happened just last Sunday. I was, in fact, at one of the local patios, with my dog. Changing pad or no, I won't be sitting at that table any time soon.

I work downtown and meet hundreds of tourists every day. A lot of them travel with their dogs. They are thrilled when I tell them that many of the restaurants with outdoor seating allow dogs. How great for them that they won't be stuck in their room with room service. As for us locals, it's so nice to be able to take the dog for a long walk and finish it with some food, drink, and company while enjoying the nice weather. Now we'll have to choose; take the dog out or go somewhere for lunch? I know once I bring the pup back home I often don't want to go out again. I wonder how much revenue will be lost because of this.

What saddens me, as the owner of a restaurant with outdoor seating, is after so much effort and love put into cultivating our dog customers (and their owners); we now have to turn them away. We've purged our web page of dog-friendly references, done away with our dog menu and turned away some of the most loyal and friendly customers we have; it's a sad shame and it's costing us business.

Heck! I think we're even listed in a few dog-friendly travel guides. I'd HATE to have someone drive all the way here and then have to tie up the dog nearby or, Gods forbid, leave it in the car. (Not than any of our great customers would do that in this heat.) Tourism is what Salem DOES.

I really hope that Larry Ramdin comes up with a solution, or compromise, that will allow the BoH to be satisfied as well as our furry customers.

Diane: From what I know, the members of the Board of Health were caught as flat-footed as you and I were by Ramdin. He didn't have the good sense to run his crusade by them before he embarked on it. Someone needs to tell Larry he works for a PUBLIC Board, not the Larry Ramdin Board of Health. Maybe Larry would be happier being the Health Agent at a private company?

I thought the whole reason for outdoor seating was so you could bring your dog. Sadly, Salem's charm factor will drop a couple of notches if this is truly enforced. Shall we all meet at Capri Seaside Italian Grille in Salisbury, MA? Still dog-friendly.

What this country needs most is a 21st Century Johnny Appleseed/Batman who travels from town to town on foot shutting down dog-friendly outdoor cafes and keeping the populace safe from the scourge of dogs. I know the besieged citizens of Des Moines Iowa need this help. Hopefully, Larry Ramdin will step up to the plate and become that person. Let's start a fund to buy him several pair of comfortable walking shoes.

If this is a health issue, it doesn't make any difference whether the dog is a service animal or not. All dogs have the same dander, germs, saliva, bark. So let them all sit at the tables. They add charm and make our town more civilized. Ever been to Europe?

Great article, Bill. Just one piece to clarify -- I don't want any restaurants getting in trouble. In your article you say the restaurant can ask " if an animal is a service animal and also to ask which disability the animal is trained for." This isn't exactly the case. We CANNOT ask what disability the animal is trained for. According to officials, that violates the individual's privacy. We CAN ask what service the animal is trained to perform. It's a subtle difference, but it's important. The way the question is worded puts the emphasis on what the animal can do, not what the disabled person cannot do. I hope this helps, and I hope we can find a way to create an exemption to this law.

The Massachusetts State Sanitary Code Chapter 10 (Minimum Sanitation Standards for Food Establishments) incorporates Chapter 6 of the 1999 Federal Food Code for the regulation of physical facilities of restaurants. (105 CMR 590.007)

Section 6-501.115 of the Federal Food Code appears to prohibit live animals from the premises of restaurants: “(A) Except as specified in ¶¶ (B) and (C) of this section, live animals may not be allowed on the premises of a food establishment.” However, Section 8-103.10 of the 1999 Federal Food Code states in pertinent part: “The regulatory authority (Salem Board of Health) may grant a variance by modifying or waiving the requirements of this Code if in the opinion of the regulatory authority a health hazard or nuisance will not result from the variance.”

In addition, Chapter 10 of the Massachusetts State Sanitary (Minimum Sanitation Standards for Food Establishments) defines “risk factors” as follows (105 CMR 590.002)
Risk Factors
(1) Risk Factors mean improper practices or procedures, which have been identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), through epidemiological data as the MOST PREVALENT CONTRIBUTING FACTORS of foodborne illness or injury.
(2) Risk Factors include:
(a) Poor personal hygiene;
(b) Food from unsafe source;
(c) Inadequate Cooking;
(d) Improper holding temperatures; and
(e) Contaminated equipment.

Larry, Do you see dogs on this list?

When you go to Florida, dogs are treated with respect, they are allowed everywhere. The restaurant owners there must know how to make your restaurant Pet Friendly! I put my dog in a stroller when I bring him in a mall or where there will be many people. This way, no one can complain he gets fur anywhere. :)

To the person who is anonymously and with no way to identify or reply to the sender of personal attacks/challenges to my direct email address (and probably to many others on this list who have commented), shame on you! You should know better ways of communicating than hurling insults at someone's back, and you should know that differing opinions are really no big deal. You're welcome to try to send me more, but I'll not read or respond publicly to them so in either case your fun is over. Hopefully the moderators of this forum can stop the flaming and boot you out of the system, also.

I apologize if I have missed this info on the posts, but could someone please post contact info re challenging this ordinance? Is there a way that Salem (and others who oppose the enforcement of dogs--service or otherwise--not being allowed at outdoor seating) can call a meeting and be heard??? I've a feeling if this is challenged we know who will win!!!

Larry Ramdin is on vacation this week probably checking out the public health job prospects in North Korea and Iran. He'll be a lot more comfortable working in either place than he apparently is in Salem, where people (including business owners who responsibly cater to owners of well-trained dogs) aren't nearly as stupid as he thinks. Unfortunantley, the Salem Board of Health doesn't have a public meeting scheduled until the 2nd week of September. Still, anyone can phone members of the Board of Health at their homes to tell the members what you think. Dinner time is best. Of course, don't hold your breath waiting for your calls to be returned. The BOH must know what a mistake it was to hire Ramdin, who has a problem understanding how the legal system works in Massachusetts, but they're way too arrogant to admit it. Lastly, there is a very simple solution. The City Attorney has known it for two weeks. It's called a "waiver" and it's clearly stated in the Regulations for restaurant physical facilities. It's often a lot easier to pretend you can't solve a problem than to actually do something PRODUCTIVE about it. Sadly, that's what's going on here with the BOH and the City Attorney. That Board and the City Solicitor don't have to run for election, so they're thumbing their noses at you.

This is humorous to me. A law was written (poorly I agree), now people are getting mad that it is being followed, not taken advantage of, but FOLLOWED. If you don't like the law, run for political office and change it. It's that simple. My dog meets all the qualifications for a service/therapy dog, therefore she is.

If you get sick from a foodborne illness after eating at an outdoor (or even an indoor) restaurant, it's not EVER because a well-behaved dog was on the pavement under its owners table. There's no (meaning not one) peer-reviewed study ever published suggesting dogs pose a health hazard to restaurant patrons. You have a right to hate dogs, but you don't have a right to make up facts to support that hatred. If you honestly are worried about foodborne illness, keep an eye on your server's hands, walk into the kitchen and see if the prep tables and cooking equipment looks clean and check the temperatures in the refrigerators and freezers.

By the way, did anyone else notice that at the opening ceremony of the Olympics, Mitt Romney was the flag bearer for the Cayman Islands?