A Washington state senator is proposing legislation to allow dogs in bars.
The bill would allow bars and restaurants with liquor licenses to permit dogs, providing they accompany their owners and remain leashed. However, establishments wouldn’t be legally obligated to allow dogs other than service animals.
The state’s Senate Labor, Commerce, Research and Development Committee scheduled a public hearing on the proposal for Jan. 30.
The measure was introduced by Sen. Ken Jacobsen (D-Seattle), who says he came up the idea while at the Fish Tale Brewpub in downtown Olympia.
“I was sitting … looking at all the dogs outside sitting in the cold and the rain, while all the owners were warm inside,” Jacobsen, who doesn’t own a dog, told the Associated Press.