In these freezing temps, it's tough to picture dining al fresco with Fido, but it could soon happen in Frederick County -- at least, once the weather warms up.
Sen. Alexander Mooney (R-Dist. 3) is proposing a measure to give county commissioners the power to allow people to dine with their dogs on restaurant patios, reports the Frederick Gazette.
"We met with the city back in the fall, and it was my understanding that it was very important to them," Mooney told the Gazette.
City leaders had considered a "dining with dogs" bill. Mooney’s legislation would apply to all county restaurants since the Frederick County Health Department regulates them.
The Downtown Frederick Partnership is behind the proposal in downtown Frederick. Its Dog Days of Summer celebration each August draws in 11,000 visitors annually. The group says 60 downtown businesses have already identified themselves as canine-friendly.
As for the "dining with dogs" bill, the General Assembly would have to approve it first, and the governor would have to sign it.
