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Bill Allowing Outdoor Dining With Dogs Passes NY Legislature

WAMC Photo by Dave Lucas

The so-called 'dining with dogs' bill passed the Assembly Tuesday after passing the Senate last month. It now heads to Gov. Andrew Cuomo for a signature.

Dog lovers and many restaurant owners supported the idea, noting that the animals would have to be leashed and that restaurants could choose not to allow canines.

States including California, Florida and Maryland already have similar laws.

Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, a Manhattan Democrat who sponsored the bill in her chamber, says it successfully balances public health and safety and the desire that many New Yorkers have to enjoy outdoor meals in the company of their pets.

(C) 2015 AP

Dave Lucas is WAMC’s Capital Region Bureau Chief. Born and raised in Albany, he’s been involved in nearly every aspect of local radio since 1981. Before joining WAMC, Dave was a reporter and anchor at WGY in Schenectady. Prior to that he hosted talk shows on WYJB and WROW, including the 1999 series of overnight radio broadcasts tracking the JonBenet Ramsey murder case with a cast of callers and characters from all over the world via the internet. In 2012, Dave received a Communicator Award of Distinction for his WAMC news story "Fail: The NYS Flood Panel," which explores whether the damage from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee could have been prevented or at least curbed. Dave began his radio career as a “morning personality” at WABY in Albany.
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