With all the problems the state faces, Flint Water Crisis, collapse of DPS, Crumbling Highways and Bridges..., it is nice to see our state legislature finally come to grips with one of the burning issues of our times -- should dogs be allowed to dine at restaurants with their masters.

As a member of the cat party I have to object. We have already seen the dog party continually push for public money in the form of dog parks and changes in regulations favorable to dogs. Now this...

Canines may be allowed as dinner guests in outdoor restaurant dining areas if a new bill passes.

Sens. Margaret O’Brien, R-Portage, Tonya Schuitmaker, R-Lawton, and Wayne Schmidt, R-Traverse City, say they are sponsoring the bill to help increase tourism.

Current law allows service animals in food establishments but generally prohibits other animals. The new law would allow pet dogs in outdoor dining areas and give local governments the ability to adopt an ordinance that is more restrictive than the bill.

“Before the bill was introduced, a number of restaurants in northern Michigan asked for the option of allowing dogs in their outdoor dining areas,” Schmidt said. “The bill is permissive. Restaurants can determine what types of dogs they’ll allow or if they want to have this option at all.”
http://www.record-eagle.com/news/loc...0f073c4b3.html
We of the cat party are calling BS on this bald-faced attempt to exploit the fear of tourism loss to expand dog power into neutral territories. Where are the cat parks?? Why can't we have a cat day at the birdhouse of the Detroit zoo??

Discuss.