Okaloosa OKs dog dining

CRESTVIEW, FL - More local businesses now can open their doors to man's best friend.
   
Okaloosa County commissioners earlier this week gave final approval of its version of the doggie dining ordinance, which allows dogs in designated outdoor portions of permitted restaurants.
   
"We're happy to (create the doggie dining ordinance). Maybe it will take off, maybe it won't," said Elliot Kampert, the county's growth management director.
   
Restaurants that want to allow dogs in the outdoor portions of their businesses must apply for a permit from the county. There is no fee.
   
County employees then will inspect the restaurants to make sure they meet all of the requirements for the new ordinance, such as having waterless hand sanitizer on all tables, prohibiting employees from touching the dogs while serving food and that accidents involving dog waste can be cleaned up and sanitized immediately.
   
The ordinance was requested by Angler's Beachside Bar and Grill. Kampert said that is the only restaurant that has expressed an interest in the county's doggie dining ordinance.
   
The ordinance is modeled on a similar law the Fort Walton Beach City Council approved last year. The only major change is that the county's version has a provision that prohibits dogs on the beach, even when they are at a beachside restaurant such as Angler's.