Dining Out with Your Dog in Raleigh

You may soon be able to take your furry friend out to dinner with you in Wake County, according to the Division of Environmental Health.  Last fall, Wake county health inspectors told Raleigh restaurant owners that pets were no longer allowed in outdoor dining areas.  The exception to this rule is of course service animals and guard dogs that are fenced outside.   However, after hundreds of phone calls, emails, and letters to the Food Protection Branch of Environmental Health, this rule may soon be reversed.  The proposal would allow pets to come to the table at outdoor restaurants as long as they don't do anything that would contaminate people's food.  A hearing will be held on February 16 to discuss the regulation.