Last month, the Indian Rocks Beach City Commission voted to become more dog friendly, adopting a bill recently passed by state legislation that allows for dogs in dining establishments. The ordinance, will take effect on Oct. 1 and is strictly voluntary-the decision to allow dogs to dine will be left to the business owner.

The new law applies only to dogs, and is restricted to outdoor areas such as decks or patios. There are 13 doggy dining regulations, like requiring employees not to touch or pet the dogs while serving, not allowing dogs to come in contact with any dishes or utensils used for food service, and hand sanitizer is to be provided at all outdoor tables where dogs are allowed.

Other Florida municipalities that have approved doggy dining: Bradenton, Cocoa Beach, Crystal River, Dunedin, Ft Walton Beach, Jacksonville, Manatee County, Melbourne, Miami Beach, Neptune Beach, Ocala, Orlando, Osceola County, Panama City Beach, Sarasota, Siesta Key, St Augustine, St Petersburg, Tampa, Winter Park. For a complete list visit http://www.floridapetfriendly.com/