Dining outdoors with canine buddies, a practice that’s hitherto flown under the radar in Vineyard Haven, is now being acknowledged with a pilot program from the Tisbury health department.
In order to invite consumers with dogs, dining establishments and cafe with outside seating need to get the town’s brand-new “Dog Friendly Spaces” variation and follow standards the board of health authorized recently.
“People bring their dogs anyway. The dogs are already there. This gives you some control over it,” Tisbury health representative Maura Valley said at the June 13 board of health conference.
Managers at the Black Dog Tavern were the very first to inquire about guidelines for dining with dogs, Ms. Valley and assistant health representative Catherine Blake said.
The health department adjusted its standards from the city of Boston, which revealed a comparable policy last month, Ms. Blake informed the health board.
“We’re trying to do the right thing,” Ms. Blake said.
Applying for the variation is totally free and needs a scaled diagram and description of the outside dining location, its components and surrounding public locations.
The diagram does not need to be prepared by a certified style expert, according to the standards.
Food preparation is restricted in the dog-friendly location. Tableware, such as flatware and napkins, might not be kept in the location and staff members are not permitted to touch animals while working.
Guidelines for dog owners need updated family pet vaccinations, in addition to keeping the animals leashed or included and off the furnishings at all times.
Dogs likewise are restricted from consuming plated food and might consume water just from an owner-supplied bowl or a non reusable bowl supplied by the restaurant.
Tisbury animal control officer Heather Maciel signed up with the board of health conference to support the pilot program.
“Just try it for a year and see how it works. See how many complaints you get,” Ms. Maciel said.
“You would hope the hostesses seat dogs kind of far apart,” she included.
Board of health members Malcolm Boyd and Jeffrey Pratt voted all to authorize the dog-friendly standards and to evaluate the program after the summertime dining season.
However, Ms. Valley said, the health department can withdraw a restaurant’s variation at any time if dogs end up being an issue there.
“If we feel at any point health and safety aren’t protected … we can rescind,” she said.
The health department is getting in touch with dining establishments with outdoors seating to alert them of the program, Ms. Valley informed the Gazette after the conference.
