California Has Legalized Outdoor Dining with Dogs

Not that you'd know it from the average SF patio, but bringing your dog to eat outdoors with you is technically illegal in the state of California—or it was, until yesterday. Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill that will allow restaurants with patios that have separate entrances to welcome dogs for outdoor dining, provided they aren't seated on chairs or tables and are leashed. Of course, all of this is still at individual restaurants' and jurisdictions' discretion, and you're required to clean up after them if they make a mess, but it's an overall positive for dog owners. And who knows, we might start seeing artisanal/sustainable treats for Fido on a menu or two.

· California permits outdoor dining with dogs [KTVU]