State to Consider Barring Pets From Restaurants, Stores

Florida restaurants and retail establishments could become less pet-friendly if a proposed legislative bill succeeds, ABC 7 reports.

Apart from service animals, pets would be prohibited in such places as restaurants, supermarkets and malls.

The law would be “basically all-encompassing” in that it would also include stores such as Home Depot and CVS, said state Rep. Bruce Antone of Orlando, who proposed the bill.

Service animals would still be allowed in the establishments.

The stated purpose of the bill is to “protect the health, safety, and general welfare of the public,” the Boca Raton Tribune reports.

The News Service of Florida reports: “While the bill wouldn’t pre-empt existing local ordinances, it would direct the state Department of Business and Professional Regulation to adopt rules and create a publicly accessible website for complaints.”

The bill is up for consideration in the legislative session that begins Jan. 14.